A Horrifying Humanitarian Tragedy
The Arab Parliament stated in a statement issued on Monday that the flooding of tents belonging to displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by rainwater, along with the suffering of children, women, and the elderly from the biting cold, embodies a "horrific humanitarian tragedy" that requires immediate international action to save them from the dangers of flash floods and cold.
The Arab Parliament, the legislative body of the Arab League comprising representatives from 22 Arab countries, clarified that scenes of tents flooding and some collapsing on their occupants represent a test of the conscience of humanity and the credibility of the international community in protecting civilians.
Details of the Weather Low and Destruction
A weather low accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds struck the Gaza Strip on Friday evening, before subsiding on Sunday evening. The Government Media Office in Gaza reported that the weather low caused 70,000 tents to flood and dozens of walls damaged by the Israeli war to collapse within the first 12 hours, resulting in injuries.
The Civil Defense announced in statements issued on Saturday that entire camps had flooded and four buildings, partially or fully damaged by previous Israeli shelling, had collapsed completely or partially. Furthermore, the weather low caused a sand embankment to collapse on the tents of displaced persons in Deir al-Balah city in the center of the Strip on Sunday evening, resulting in the death of four Palestinians and the disappearance of two others, including women and children, and injuring others.
International Appeals and Urgent Demands
The Arab Parliament warned of the worsening of the humanitarian disaster as hundreds of thousands of displaced persons continue to face harsh living conditions that threaten their lives. It affirmed that what is happening in Gaza is not merely a disaster caused by bad weather, but a tragedy exacerbated by the widespread destruction left by the Israeli aggression and the deprivation of the Palestinian people of the most basic necessities of life and safe shelter.
The Arab Parliament issued an urgent humanitarian appeal to the international community, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action to save Palestinians in Gaza. It called for the provision of temporary housing, rain-resistant tents, and shelter, heating, and medical supplies. It also called on Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the unimpeded delivery of aid.
Displacement Conditions and Needs
Last August, the Government Media Office stated that more than 2.15 million displaced persons were living in tragic conditions, including approximately 867,000 in dilapidated tents. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned in mid-October that approximately 950,000 Palestinians were living in displacement sites exposed to medium or high flood risks, and that approximately 294,000 families needed shelter assistance during the winter.
These developments come amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions due to the war that began on October 8, 2023. Despite the ceasefire agreement taking effect on October 10, 2025, shelter and reconstruction needs still exceed available aid, amid continued restrictions on the entry of materials into the Strip.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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