Gaza Winter Crisis Intensifies as Thousands of Refugee Tents Damaged, 135 Municipal Vehicles Destroyed
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the winter season in the Gaza Strip, marked by cold temperatures and heavy rainfall, has significantly escalated the humanitarian crisis for Palestinian refugees. Families displaced by the destruction of their homes and sheltering in tents and temporary structures are now facing widespread flooding of their living spaces, jeopardizing even these limited accommodations. Concerns are mounting over the potential collapse of damaged buildings, the spread of diseases, and the further deterioration of the overall living situation. The destruction of vital infrastructure, coupled with a lack of resources and restricted entry of aid equipment, makes it increasingly difficult for the people of Gaza to cope with natural challenges such as rain.
Hassani Mehna, spokesperson for the Gaza Municipality, detailed the current dire circumstances in an interview with Mehr News Agency, highlighting the extreme difficulties in accommodating the population amidst what he described as the “genocidal war” waged by the Israeli regime. He noted that many tents and temporary shelters lack adequate protection against rain, wind, and cold and are often situated in areas devoid of basic services. During the recent severe rainfall, thousands of tents were damaged or uprooted, allowing rainwater to flood the shelters. This situation is particularly acute in low-lying areas lacking proper drainage systems, compounding the suffering of displaced families.
Mehna emphasized the continued stringent restrictions imposed by the Israeli regime on the import of essential aid and goods into Gaza, pointing to a critical shortage of materials and equipment needed to maintain services. This scarcity extends beyond food and winter supplies to include fuel, spare parts, pumps, heavy machinery, and repair equipment for water, sewage, and rainwater drainage networks. He underscored the necessity of consistent and adequate aid, including emergency equipment, to meet the escalating needs.
The Gaza Municipality spokesperson described the vital infrastructure, including water, sewage, drainage, and road networks, as severely damaged. The Israeli regime has rendered a substantial portion of municipal machinery and equipment inoperable. Currently, 135 heavy machinery and equipment units, representing approximately 85 percent of the municipality’s fleet, have been destroyed. This has drastically reduced the municipality’s capacity to respond to the population’s needs. Shortages of fuel, spare parts, pumps, and repair equipment further impede emergency operations, especially during the winter months.
The municipality’s primary objective is to safeguard the lives of citizens and refugees and prevent the current rainfall and cold from escalating into a new disaster. To achieve this, importing suitable temporary shelters such as prefabricated housing and containers, along with protective equipment for tents and mobile shelters, is imperative. Additionally, an immediate supply of heavy machinery, pumps, fuel, spare parts, and repair equipment for drainage and sewage systems, as well as consumables like batteries and industrial oils, is vital. Significant support is also required for debris removal and road clearance. The accumulation of 68 million tons of rubble in the Gaza Strip and the destruction of infrastructure have significantly hampered the municipality’s ability to manage heavy rainfall. Families who have been repeatedly displaced should not be forced to abandon their temporary residences due to rainfall.
