The civil defense service in Gaza reported that displaced families in the war-torn coastal enclave are enduring worsening conditions as cold and rainy weather exacerbates their already dire situation.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, approximately 1,542 tents in displacement camps have been rendered unusable after being submerged in rainwater, with some areas experiencing nearly half a meter of flooding. Rescue teams found hundreds of tents under more than 30 centimeters of water, with many families left shivering as their clothes and belongings were soaked.

The displaced families in Deir al-Balah, Rafah, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City faced a harsh night as heavy rains and strong winds destroyed or submerged their makeshift shelters.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) also confirmed significant damage caused by the rain. In a statement, the agency said over 100 tents were flooded in Khan Yunis, leaving around 500 families living along the Gaza shoreline in even more precarious conditions.

"Displaced people, already enduring the unlivable due to the ongoing war, are now battling heavy rainstorms," UNRWA stated, calling for urgent and sustained humanitarian assistance to help Gaza’s displaced population stay warm and protected this winter.

The ongoing Israeli aggression and worsening weather conditions have compounded the plight of thousands of displaced families, highlighting the need for immediate international aid to address the growing humanitarian crisis. (ILKHA)