Palestinians receive donated food at a temporary camp for displaced people, on the beach near the port of Gaza City, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025.
Winter rain floods Gaza camps, turning displacement sites into muddy traps for thousands of Palestinians.
Relentless downpours over the weekend submerged tents across the Gaza Strip.
Families already uprooted by war struggled to protect what little they had left.
Ankle-deep water filled makeshift camps.
Tents, weakened by months of use, collapsed under the rain.
Blankets, mattresses, and food supplies were left soaked and unusable.
As conditions worsened on the ground, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to the United States.
He is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Monday.
The talks are focused on the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
The first phase, which began on Oct. 10, was designed to boost humanitarian aid.
Shelter materials were a key part of that agreement.
Netanyahu made no public remarks before his departure.
Camps Turn Into Flood Zones
In Khan Younis, one of Gaza’s southern cities, the rain brought devastation.
Clay ovens used for cooking were submerged.
Children waded through muddy puddles wearing plastic flip-flops.
Some residents tried bailing water from tents using tin cans and shovels.
Others dug into the mud to free collapsed shelters.
Many efforts failed as rain continued to fall.
“Puddles formed, and there was a bad smell,” said Majdoleen Tarabein, displaced from Rafah.
Her family’s tent was blown away by strong winds.
They were left with nowhere to go.
Nearby, Eman Abu Riziq described waking to water pouring inside her shelter.
Her mattresses were completely soaked.
She said her family is still grieving her husband’s death days earlier.
Fatima Abu Omar pleaded for urgent shelter supplies.
“We don’t want food,” she said.
“We just want mattresses and covers.”
Deaths Linked to Cold and Collapsing Homes
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 12 weather-related deaths since Dec. 13.
The victims include a two-week-old infant.
Most deaths were caused by hypothermia or collapsing buildings.
Emergency workers warned residents to avoid damaged structures.
But escape options are limited.
Large parts of Gaza remain in ruins.
The United Nations estimated in July that nearly 80% of Gaza’s buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Many families now choose flooded tents over unstable concrete shells.
Winter Rain Floods Gaza Camps as Aid Falls Short
Aid groups say humanitarian deliveries remain insufficient.
This is despite promises made under the ceasefire deal.
Israeli military figures show 4,200 aid trucks entered Gaza last week.
They included tents, winter clothing, and sanitation vehicles.
Officials declined to specify how many tents were delivered.
According to the Shelter Cluster, around 72,000 tents have entered since the truce began.
More than 403,000 tarps were also delivered.
Aid agencies say this does not meet demand.
“People are surviving in flimsy, waterlogged tents,” wrote UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini.
He said aid is not entering Gaza at the required scale.
Ceasefire Progress Slows Amid Disputes
The ceasefire has largely held but faces growing strain.
Israel says it will not move forward without the remains of a final hostage.
Hamas says widespread destruction has delayed recovery efforts.
The next phase includes major political and security challenges.
Plans involve a new governing body for Gaza.
They also include Hamas disarmament and further Israeli troop withdrawals.
Both sides have accused each other of violating the truce.
Meanwhile, winter rain floods Gaza camps, deepening a humanitarian crisis.
