In brief
Recent heavy rainfall in Gaza has put immense pressure on the already struggling population, resulting in casualties, damaged shelters, and heightened risks of hypothermia among vulnerable families. UN agencies urgently call for more humanitarian aid as thousands are affected by the worsening conditions.
Heavy rains over the past week have compounded the already dire living conditions of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, UN agencies say.
Unicef spokesman Jonathan Crickx told the BBC that the weather overnight had been horrendous, with the rain so intense that he had seen up to 15cm (6in) of water on the ground near his office.
He said he was extremely concerned that children living in tents and makeshift shelters in wet clothing would succumb to hypothermia and other illnesses.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry has reported that one baby has died from hypothermia and at least 11 other individuals have died in building collapses caused by the severe weather.
UN agencies have stepped up deliveries of tents, blankets, and clothes since the Gaza ceasefire began nine weeks ago, but they have indicated that there is still not enough aid getting in.
The UN and its partners estimate that almost 55,000 families have so far been affected by the rains, with their belongings and shelters damaged or destroyed. More than 40 designated emergency shelters were severely flooded following downpours on Monday and Tuesday, forcing many people to relocate again.
Late-night rains caused extensive flooding, resulting in many families struggling to clear water from makeshift homes. Last night was really horrendous for families with temperatures dropping to around 7C (45F) at night, Crickx emphasized.
Gaza's health ministry stated that a two-week-old boy named Mohammed Abu al-Khair died from hypothermia, highlighting the dire consequences of the relentless rain. Calls from residents include urging the international community to help and provide shelter as their living conditions worsen.
The situation calls for increased and sustained humanitarian assistance to address immediate needs for food, shelter, and repairs to critical infrastructure as the rainy season continues.
In response to the rising fatalities and deteriorating circumstances, the International Committee of the Red Cross has highlighted the urgent need for aid while Cogat, the Israeli military body controlling Gaza's borders, maintains that humanitarian supplies are consistently entering.
