Gaza flooding: Israel’s blockade leaves a trapped population at the mercy of storms

The Palestinian Civil Defence and the Gaza Government Media Office have issued an urgent warning to Palestinians in the Strip, on 10 December. The polar storm “Byron” will hit within 72 hours. Gaza flooding is imminent.

More than 90 percent of Gaza’s residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed by the Israeli occupation. This storm threatens more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, living in worn out tents across the Strip. Officials say that it is expected to bring flash flooding to Gaza — along with strong gusts of wind capable of uprooting tents, rising sea waves, and thunderstorms.

This will be hell for all those enduring displacement, with no viable alternatives or protective infrastructure.

The night before this warning was issued, heavy rainfall submerged thousands of tents — soaking beddings and belongings. Displacement camps and tents across the besieged and destroyed Gaza Strip became flooded. This has been catastrophic for millions of Palestinian families.

The situation has been made worse because the Israeli occupation continues deliberately to prevent the entry of tents and humanitarian supplies into Gaza. ‘Israel’ has banned 300,000 tents and shelter units from entry. It also continues to block the entry of construction materials, tents, caravans, and any heavy equipment to help shelter families. The Israeli regime’s intentional plan is to try and make life unbearable for Palestinians in Gaza. Then they will choose to ‘voluntarily migrate’ from the Strip.

With nowhere safe to turn, and ‘Israel’ still withholding essential aid, the coming days threaten to deepen an already unprecedented humanitarian disaster. What is urgently needed now is protection and relief, before an already devastating humanitarian situation becomes even worse.

Featured image provided by the author