Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza Due to Weather Fronts

SadaNews: Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Basal, stated that the weather fronts that struck the region in recent days have left devastating effects on the lives and properties of citizens. He clarified that 18 residential buildings completely collapsed, resulting in significant human and material losses, while more than 110 buildings faced serious partial collapses, posing a direct threat to the lives of thousands of residents living in or around them.

Basal pointed out that more than 90% of the displaced people's tents were torn apart or submerged due to the high winds and heavy rains, reflecting the magnitude of the ongoing humanitarian disaster. He added that tents across different areas of the Strip were damaged and completely flooded, leading to thousands of families losing their temporary shelters and damaging clothing, bedding, and blankets, which exacerbated the unprecedented humanitarian suffering.

He indicated that the Civil Defense teams received more than 700 calls for help and distress signals since the onset of the weather front, ranging from rescuing people trapped in water to addressing significant collapses and damages. He also confirmed that the repercussions of these weather fronts resulted in the deaths of 25 citizens, including six children who perished due to the severe cold, while others died as a result of building collapses and falling into rainwater collection pits and ponds.

Basal renewed his urgent call to the world and the international community for immediate and serious action to assist citizens and provide essential humanitarian needs before the disaster escalates further. He emphasized that tents have completely failed in the Gaza Strip, as they provide no protection from the cold or rain, and are no longer a viable humanitarian solution under these harsh conditions.

The Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson concluded by stressing the need to initiate an immediate reconstruction process and to provide safe housing that preserves the dignity of the Palestinian people and protects their lives.