GAZA

As Israel's brutal attacks on the Gaza Strip continue for the 452nd day, severe weather conditions added to the suffering of Palestinians taking shelter in makeshift tents.

With winter rains intensifying in the region, life has become increasingly unbearable for those displaced by the ongoing conflict.

In the Nuseirat Refugee Camp in central Gaza, Palestinian families who sought shelter in tents were awakened overnight by heavy rain that flooded their makeshift homes.

Water poured into their shelters, leaving the ground muddy and forcing residents to contend with the cold and wet conditions.

Wessam Esdoudi, who lives in the camp, described the situation as “chaotic.”

He said rainwater filled their tent, with mattresses and blankets completely soaked and all their belongings inside the tent were lost.

In the middle of the night, the family had to take the wet mattresses out of the tent and leave them to dry on the wall, Esdoudi added.

Nesma Esdoudi, Wessam’s wife, recalled waking up to screams from outside at around 3:00 am.

Although it was dark, she quickly realized that water had entered their shelter and that they had to leave the tent to avoid further damage.

Muna Abu el-Kas, another resident of the camp, initially thought the rain was just a typical winter shower, but it soon became more severe.

"The rain started to fill the tent, and the roof collapsed," she said, adding that the plastic covering of the tent tore apart. The ground is completely soaked and there’s nothing else to do but wait for the sun to dry it out, she said.

Muhammed el-Sisi, who has been living in the same tent for over a year, called for urgent repairs and replacements of the tents.

The situation is growing more desperate as temperatures drop in Gaza. In the past week, the number of babies freezing to death has increased. Palestinians living in flimsy tents made of nylon and fabric are struggling to survive in harsh winter conditions, lacking basic necessities like clothing, blankets, and bedding.

Despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, the Israeli army has continued a genocidal war on Gaza since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.