Winter storms threaten nearly 950,000 displaced Palestinians in Gaza

Nearly 950,000 displaced Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of flooding as heavy rain and strong winds are expected this weekend. With hundreds of thousands living in deteriorating tents and unsafe buildings, humanitarian agencies warn that the approaching winter weather could further worsen an already severe shelter crisis.

Gaza's Civil Defense Directorate issued an urgent warning on Thursday, urging displaced families to take precautions ahead of the expected severe weather conditions.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly 950,000 displaced Palestinians are living in areas exposed to moderate or high flood risks. More than 400,000 are located in areas classified as highly vulnerable.

Another 44,000 people are sheltering in more than 2,300 structurally unsafe buildings that could partially collapse during heavy rainfall and strong winds.

The Civil Defense Directorate warned that the approaching weather system could overwhelm fragile shelters and expose families to further danger after more than three years of conflict and displacement.

Families urged to prepare for heavy rainfall

Civil Defense officials advised families living in tents to secure plastic coverings and tent pegs, construct earthen barriers around their shelters and dig drainage channels to divert rainwater.

Residents were also urged to raise personal belongings above ground level and avoid staying in buildings with structural damage or pitching tents nearby.

The directorate called on humanitarian organisations and community groups to urgently provide alternative accommodation and strengthen protection for displaced families before the rainfall begins.

More than two million Palestinians remain displaced

The warning comes as Gaza continues to face a major shelter crisis following the widespread destruction of residential neighbourhoods during Israel's military offensive, which began in October 2023.

According to figures released by Gaza's Government Media Office in August 2026, more than 2.15 million displaced Palestinians were living across the enclave.

Approximately 867,000 people were staying in deteriorating tents, while more than one million were sheltering in designated displacement centres.

OCHA has also reported that 294,250 families require shelter assistance ahead of the rainy season, highlighting the scale of humanitarian needs.

Thousands of tents at risk of flooding and collapse

Conditions in displacement sites remain particularly precarious, with many families living in tents that have deteriorated after months of exposure to harsh weather.

The Shelter Cluster, led by the Norwegian Refugee Council, estimates that approximately 1.98 million people, representing around 94 per cent of Gaza's population, require shelter and non-food assistance. Around 58 per cent face critical or catastrophic shelter needs.

Many tents have been in use for more than a year, with their floors, walls and supporting structures significantly weakened. Local authorities have reported that more than 60 per cent of tents need immediate replacement.

According to Gaza's Winter Emergency Committee, approximately 200,000 worn-out tents are currently sheltering hundreds of thousands of people.

Around 7,800 tents are located in particularly hazardous areas, including dry riverbeds, rainwater collection ponds and exposed coastal locations.

Heavy rainfall could inundate temporary shelters, while strong winds could tear apart tent coverings and destroy already weakened structures.

Low-lying displacement sites are especially vulnerable because of damaged drainage networks and shortages of equipment needed to remove accumulated rainwater.

Children, older people and people with disabilities face particularly serious risks from prolonged exposure to cold and damp conditions.

Damaged emergency infrastructure limits response

Gaza's ability to respond to severe weather has been significantly weakened by the destruction of municipal and emergency equipment.

According to the figures cited in the report, approximately 70 per cent of municipalities' primary operational equipment and 90 per cent of Civil Defense rescue equipment have been destroyed.

Emergency teams consequently have limited capacity to respond to flooding, evacuate families and assist people trapped in damaged buildings.

Available resources include only a small number of ageing vacuum tanker trucks and portable water pumps, making it difficult to clear drainage systems and remove accumulated rainwater.

Humanitarian organisations have been assessing high-risk displacement sites, installing sandbags, clearing drainage channels and helping families reinforce their shelters. Some agencies have also supported voluntary relocation from particularly dangerous locations.

However, finding alternative accommodation remains difficult because of overcrowding, restricted access and a shortage of suitable land free from explosive ordnance and other hazards.

Restrictions and funding shortages hamper winter preparations

The humanitarian response is further complicated by restrictions on the entry of shelter materials, construction equipment and other essential supplies needed to repair damaged infrastructure.

Despite the ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, 2025, restrictions on essential materials continue to hamper efforts to improve living conditions and provide more durable accommodation, according to the report.

Humanitarian partners say available stocks of tents, tarpaulins and other winter supplies remain far below requirements.

Current supplies are estimated to cover only around 18 per cent of families identified as needing winter shelter assistance.

Deliveries have also faced delays because of restrictions on trucks carrying items classified as dual-use goods, as well as limitations on offloading, creating further bottlenecks in humanitarian operations.

Funding shortages have added to the difficulties, leaving humanitarian agencies struggling to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of families.

With heavy rain and strong winds approaching, humanitarian organisations warn that the combination of inadequate shelter, damaged infrastructure and limited emergency resources could expose displaced Palestinians to further danger during the winter months.

 Source:Dailysabah