Torrential rain has swept across Gaza, flooding hundreds of tents and homes sheltering families displaced by years of conflict, raising concerns that the fragile ceasefire may be cracking as authorities struggle to manage the growing humanitarian crisis.

Speaking to Anewz, our very own Andy Mioč highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in the Strip, where both sides are reporting that the other has breached the ceasefire in one way or another.

“But maybe the most distressing images are the latest since the ceasefire took effect. We've seen today reports coming in from the ground, speaking of torrential rain that swept over the Gaza Strip, flooding hundreds of tents, houses,” he said.

“Health officials and civil defence officials in Gaza say that due to the exposure to the cold and to the water, to the floods, an eight-month-old baby girl died. These officials are saying they were unable to cope with the scope of the disaster because of fuel shortages and damage to the equipment,” Mioč added.

He further noted that the civil defence service reported most of the tent encampments across the Strip - including the tents and houses - are flooded. United Nations and Palestinian authorities have called for at least 300,000 tents to shelter the roughly 1.5 million people still displaced, as most existing facilities are worn out or made of thin plastic or cloth.

Humanitarian organisations, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, have warned that only a small fraction of the required aid has reached Gaza since the October ceasefire. Of the 761 displacement sites considered at high risk of flooding, only around 15,600 tents have been delivered, with thousands of pallets of essential shelter materials blocked.

Local authorities say their capacity to respond is severely constrained. Fuel shortages and damaged equipment, including bulldozers and water pumps destroyed during the conflict, have left residents to improvise solutions, often using debris from bombed buildings to reinforce tents.

The floods, combined with delays in humanitarian aid, have intensified the crisis. UN agencies and local officials continue to call for unhindered access to emergency relief, including tents, heavy machinery, and medical support, to prevent further loss of life and suffering.

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