'Gaza is drowning': Heavy rains flood thousands of tents as international pressure mounts on Israel

The arrival of winter and the powerful rainstorm that struck the Gaza Strip over the weekend, against the backdrop of the territory's humanitarian crisis, have dominated headlines in international media and spread widely across social networks. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claimed that approximately 70,000 tents were flooded within 12 hours, affecting tens of thousands of people. Meanwhile, criticism has increasingly focused on Israel, with accusations that it bears responsibility for the conditions and is preventing Gaza residents from obtaining essential winter supplies.

Numerous videos circulated on social media showing heavy rain and strong winds sweeping through Gaza over the weekend, flooding tents sheltering displaced residents. Pro-Palestinian influencers and other social media users declared that "Gaza is drowning," accusing Israel of deliberately harming Palestinians and denying them access to essential equipment and fuel as part of what they described as an ongoing "genocide." International media outlets also devoted extensive coverage to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Britain's The Guardian published numerous images and videos from the Strip and reported that a woman and three children were killed when earth collapsed onto a tent housing displaced people at a camp south of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. The BBC and Sky News also covered the worsening conditions, both highlighting remarks by Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF's representative in the Palestinian territories, who said that "almost everyone in the Gaza Strip needs help."

In Spain's El País, Gaza photographer Ahmed Abu Kamil published a column describing the severe humanitarian conditions and the rain that flooded his family's tent. The column was titled "When the sound of rain is as frightening as the sound of bombs." U.S. broadcaster NBC News reported: "Heavy rains flood thousands of tents in Gaza aid shortages hamper response." Meanwhile, Israel is facing mounting pressure from political and diplomatic figures.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband issued a statement saying: "The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating. Heavy rain, flooded tents. The reality on the ground is heartbreaking. The British government will not stand by. We will not rest until we bring an end to this unbearable suffering." Anwar Gargash, an adviser to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and one of the country's most influential figures, wrote on X: "Heartbreaking scenes are emerging from Gaza, where residents are facing the cold winter and rain inside tents that offer little protection from the harsh conditions.

This is a stark reminder of the continuing human suffering and the urgent need to intensify relief efforts. Amid this tragic reality, the United Arab Emirates continues to provide humanitarian assistance." He added: "The directive by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, to provide tents capable of accommodating 50,000 people reflects the UAE's humanitarian approach and its continued efforts to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's residents.

The UAE will remain present through its humanitarian contributions while maintaining its commitment to the Palestinian people." Board of Peace condemns delays in winter aid On Monday, the Board of Peace for Gaza issued a strongly worded statement calling on Israel to immediately authorize the entry of supplies needed to prepare for winter. The board criticized Israel's conduct, arguing that delays in approving the entry of equipment had worsened the humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

The statement came just days after senior Board of Peace representative and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Israel, where he met with President Isaac Herzog. A call for Hamas to disarm and transfer governing authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza was also included, but received considerably less emphasis. The board said it had spent months pressing Israel to allow essential materials and equipment into Gaza in accordance with its commitments under the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement.

"The Board of Peace is deeply concerned by the severe seasonal flooding that has struck the Gaza Strip over the past two days," the statement began. "The flooding has inundated tens of thousands of tents and makeshift shelters, damaged essential belongings and left displaced families, already living in difficult conditions, exposed to the cold and circumstances that threaten their safety." "For months, the Board of Peace has warned of the conditions we are now witnessing and has repeatedly pressed all parties to fulfill their commitments under the president's comprehensive peace plan," the statement continued.

The board then directed its criticism at Israel: "In particular, we have urged the government of Israel to authorize the entry of essential materials for temporary shelter, water and sanitation infrastructure, waste management, drainage and sewage disposal, and to meet its commitments." The statement also addressed the pressure exerted on Hamas, saying the board had urged the organization "to agree to lay down its weapons, relinquish governing authority and fulfill its obligations under the plan."

"The failure to act has delayed progress and exacerbated the hardships faced by civilians in the Gaza Strip," the board said.