Storms batter Gaza tent camps, worsen winter conditions for displaced families

Strong winds and heavy rain battered tent camps in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Sunday, offering little protection to thousands of displaced Palestinians struggling to survive winter conditions in the war-ravaged enclave.

Tents made of tarpaulin, fabric and weakened wooden supports flapped violently in the wind, with many flooded by rainwater. Families were left exposed to cold and wet weather, with little means to keep themselves warm after months of conflict destroyed much of Gaza’s housing and infrastructure.

Aid workers and local authorities warned that the severe weather was worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. Earlier this month, Gaza authorities said heavy rain could cause more war-damaged buildings to collapse and make it harder to recover bodies still trapped beneath rubble across the territory.

Many residents said winter conditions had made life in tent camps unbearable.

“People now hate winter,” said Wael al-Shiekh Khalil, a displaced Palestinian sheltering in Khan Younis. “They used to say during summer that the tent is very hot. But the heat is better than this cold winter. The covers and mattresses are all soaked in water. There is nothing to warm yourself with.”

Others described repeated damage to their shelters as rain and wind weakened already fragile structures.

“The tent has collapsed nearly six or seven times,” said Emad al-Ashy. “The wood became weaker with the water, moisture and sand. With even the lightest wind, everything can collapse.”

The worsening conditions come amid a fragile truce based on a plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in September. The plan calls for an initial ceasefire followed by steps towards a broader peace, including the release of hostages and prisoners and a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Trump’s proposal ultimately envisions Hamas disarming and relinquishing any governing role in Gaza, while Israel would fully withdraw. Hamas has said it would only give up its weapons once a Palestinian state is established — a condition Israel has repeatedly rejected.

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Although violence has subsided since the truce took effect, it has not stopped entirely. Gaza’s health ministry says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire began, while Israel says three of its soldiers have been killed in militant attacks.

As winter weather intensifies, humanitarian agencies warn that displaced families sheltering in makeshift camps face growing risks from exposure, flooding and further structural collapse, compounding the toll of months of war.

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