Palestinian authorities said Saturday downpours flooded roughly 70,000 tents across Gaza
Heavy rain flooded about 70,000 tents sheltering displaced Palestinians across Gaza on Saturday, Palestinian authorities said, leaving thousands of families without shelter. Civil defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal told Agence France-Presse that teams received more than 1,500 calls overnight. UNICEF representative for Palestine Jonathan Veitch said Israeli restrictions on heavy machinery and supplies worsened conditions for displaced people.
More context
Palestinian authorities said Saturday's downpour inundated roughly 70,000 tents used by displaced Palestinians throughout Gaza, leaving thousands of families without shelter. The flooding hit makeshift encampments and worsened already difficult conditions. Hundreds of displaced families fled flooded camps in Gaza City and central and northern Gaza, while weakened walls and damaged roofs collapsed, causing injuries, some critical, authorities said. Civil defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal told Agence France-Presse that crews had fielded over 1,500 overnight requests for help from residents, while the agency was operating “without any equipment or capabilities.” Reuters reported that aid shortages were hampering the response. Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF’s representative for Palestine, said Israeli restrictions on bringing in heavy machinery and supplies such as engine oil were worsening the situation.
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Reporting
- Reuters — Heavy rain floods tents housing Gaza displaced people, aid shortages hamper response
- Daily Sabah — Heavy rains flood 70,000 displacement tents across Gaza | Daily Sabah
- NewsCord — Heavy Rains Flood 70,000 Displacement Tents In Gaza, Gaza Civil Defense Reports 1,500 Distress Calls: how 7 outlets framed it | NewsCord
Verifier’s note
Daily Sabah’s AFP report and Reuters both report that heavy rain flooded tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza on November 7. NewsCord also describes the flooding but summarizes other outlets’ coverage.