CrossFireArabia
The storm “Byron,” which swept across Gaza in recent days, has revealed the full scale of the humanitarian crisis in the Strip. The extreme weather compounded the suffering of civilians already living under siege and enduring ongoing Israeli attacks.
Civil defense teams reported 11 deaths and are still searching for one missing person. Several buildings previously damaged by Israeli strikes collapsed under the force of the storm, and at least 13 homes were completely destroyed across the territory. The disaster also devastated the shelters of displaced families, according to a statement by the Government Media Office. Over 27,000 tents were either washed away or severely damaged, bringing the total number of partially or completely affected tents to more than 53,000. More than a quarter of a million displaced people faced immediate impacts, out of roughly 1.5 million individuals living in makeshift shelters that offer minimal protection.
Initial estimates put direct economic losses at approximately $4 million, affecting multiple sectors, according to the office. Thousands of tents, blankets, mattresses, cooking tools, and temporary shelters were destroyed as displacement centers turned into mud-filled pools. Infrastructure suffered heavily as hundreds of dirt roads and temporary streets were washed away, blocking ambulances and emergency vehicles. Schools and temporary education centers used as shelters were flooded, damaging equipment and disrupting essential services.
The storm also caused severe disruption to water and sanitation systems. Temporary water lines failed, contaminating clean water with rain and mud, while emergency sewage pits collapsed, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Food and emergency supplies were similarly affected, with stored provisions for thousands of families spoiled and newly distributed aid damaged. Low-lying farmland flooded, seasonal crops were lost, and dozens of small greenhouses were destroyed, cutting off a vital source of income for displaced families. Health services were disrupted as mobile medical points in shelters were damaged, medicines and first aid supplies were lost, and medical teams faced difficulties reaching affected areas. Energy and lighting infrastructure, including batteries, alternative lighting sources, and small solar panels, were also destroyed or washed away.
Authorities highlighted that the storm’s impact cannot be separated from Israeli policies that block the entry of 300,000 tents, mobile homes, and caravans. These restrictions prevent the creation of safe shelters and delay the delivery of emergency aid, constituting a violation of international humanitarian law. Civilians, particularly women, children, and the elderly, remain exposed to life-threatening conditions.
The government holds Israel fully responsible for the humanitarian disaster and stresses that over 1.5 million displaced Palestinians continue to live in exposed shelters after losing their homes during the ongoing Israeli genocide. Officials are calling on the international community, the United Nations, humanitarian organizations, and donor countries to act immediately. They demand that crossings be opened, emergency shelters, tents, mobile homes, and caravans be delivered, and real protection be provided for displaced populations. Immediate intervention is essential to prevent further collapses and flooding during future storms.
