News|Israel-Palestine conflictWhy are Gaza’s war-damaged homes collapsing in winter?Gaza’s residents face deadly winter storms as weakened, bombed-out homes collapse.

Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza During Storm Byron

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip deteriorated significantly following Storm Byron, which brought heavy rainfall and strong winds. Many damaged homes collapsed, trapping individuals in the rubble. Parts of buildings and walls also fell onto nearby tents where displaced Palestinians were residing, exacerbating the risks for civilians already in precarious conditions.

Thousands of families are sheltering in structurally compromised buildings. Floodwaters inundated tens of thousands of tents.

Two years of intensive bombing have rendered many structures unstable. The ongoing siege has restricted the entry of building materials necessary for repairs. Numerous residential buildings have sustained damage from direct strikes, bombardments, and ground incursions, leading to structural weaknesses.

Water infiltration weakens foundations and columns. Overcrowding in damaged homes stresses weakened structures.

Storm Byron resulted in 11 fatalities and widespread structural damage. According to the Government Media Office, 13 homes collapsed, and 27,000 tents were flooded or destroyed. Civil Defence and Ministry of Health sources reported that the victims were found under rubble or in nearby tents.

Fatalities included children, women, and elderly individuals. Collapses occurred in Gaza City’s Nassr neighbourhood, Shati refugee camp, and Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood. Over 2,500 distress calls were received during the storm.

The emergency response has been severely limited due to resource constraints. Civil Defence teams faced shortages of equipment and fuel, as well as challenges with flooded roads. The continuation of the blockade increases the likelihood of similar incidents in future storms.

Authorities have not provided alternative shelters or habitable tents. Aid has been limited to small distributions of blankets and basic relief items.

Options for safety remain limited. Restrictions on movement and a lack of resources prevent relocation or reinforcement efforts. Minimal measures like moving children to more stable areas and using blankets are insufficient to prevent collapses or flooding.

UNRWA indicated that humanitarian aid could alleviate suffering if allowed to enter without obstacles. Flooded streets and soaked tents are worsening living conditions and health risks.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.