• Heavy rains have flooded tents for displaced Palestinians in Gaza, exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis.
• Nearly 1.5 million people are displaced, with severe shortages of basic necessities and shelter.
• The flooding has led to hospitals suspending operations and increased risks to vulnerable populations.

Severe flooding has struck the Gaza Strip, inundating tents that shelter displaced individuals in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis. Reports indicate that numerous tents collapsed under the relentless rain, leaving families without adequate shelter as winter approaches. "The situation in the city is extremely catastrophic due to the destruction of most roads, water, and sewage networks by the Israeli war," remarked Saib Luqan, a local municipal spokesman, emphasizing the impact of the ongoing conflict on infrastructure, according to aa.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepened as the United Nations reported more than 1.7 million people remain displaced, entangled in deplorable living conditions exacerbated by the flooding. According to Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, “the situation remains bleak,” as essential humanitarian supplies, including hundreds of thousands of tents and winter clothing, have been insufficiently provided, primarily due to Israeli blockade measures, as mentioned by middleeasteye and Reuters.

As heavy rains continue, local authorities confirm that many families have lost not only their tents but critical belongings as floodwaters threaten their safety. A local NGO leader described the urgent need for at least 300,000 new tents as essential for housing the displaced population. "This suffering... is only the beginning of winter," lamented Um Ahmed Aowdah, highlighting the lack of new supplies, as reported by both channelnewsasia and Reuters.

The Gaza government has accused Israel of violating ceasefire agreements by limiting the aid entering the region, which hinders humanitarian efforts. They cited that only a fraction of the necessary aid is currently arriving, significantly obstructing relief operations in the area. Human rights organizations have reiterated calls for immediate international intervention to ease the rapidly deteriorating living conditions faced by the displaced as winter looms, according to aa and middleeasteye.