Tens of thousands of tents flooded after heavy rains in Gaza
Heavy rains have flooded tens of thousands of tents housing displaced residents in Gaza, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. UN officials warn that the lack of supplies and infrastructure, combined with the winter season, creates a high risk of hypothermia and further suffering.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the severe humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict and the critical need for aid access in a region where the vast majority of the population is displaced.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Ninety percent of Gaza residents have been displaced by the Israeli war against Hamas
Heavy rains have flooded tens of thousands of tents where displaced residents have been living in Gaza, with a United Nations official saying almost everyone in the territory needs help.
Residents used pots and pans to clear water from their flooded tents, with some saying they were left without shelter.
Jonathan Veitch, the Unicef representative for Palestine, said the "desperate" situation was being made worse by Israeli restrictions on the entry of heavy machinery and supplies such as engine oil.
Some 90% of Gaza residents have been displaced by the Israeli war against Hamas, many of them multiple times, with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
Aid agencies say the situation is likely to worsen with the start of the rainy season.
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