Rains flood the displaced camps in Gaza: "Thousands of distress calls and buildings at risk of collapse"

Heavy rains flooded displaced camps in Gaza; Hamas: 70,000 tents flooded in 12 hours. The Civil Defense received 2,166 distress calls, responded to 218. Five people were injured from collapsing walls. Gaza City municipality: 60 mm of rain, 15% of the annual average. Shortage of rescue equipment and alternative shelter.

Heavy rains and winds that have hit the Gaza Strip since Friday night flooded displaced camps, damaged tents, and left families without dry shelter. Hamas reported that about 70,000 tents were flooded within 12 hours, estimating initial direct damage at $3 million. The Civil Defense in the Strip said it received 2,166 distress calls since the start of the weather system but was able to respond to only 218 in the field. The organization's spokesman, Mahmoud Basal, said that displaced camps, shelter centers, and entire areas were flooded, and in some places the water level reached about one and a half meters. According to him, the lack of equipment and rescue means forced teams to make do with remote guidance for many families. The floods affected, among other areas, tents near the Gaza City port, west of Deir al-Balah, north of the Nuseirat camp, and areas in Jabalia and Beit Lahia. The Gaza City municipality reported that about 60 mm of rain fell in the city, about 15% of the annual average, and that infrastructure destruction limits drainage capacity. Medical sources said five Palestinians were injured in incidents including the collapse of two walls of previously damaged buildings and a falling tin sheet. The Palestinian Red Crescent spokesman called for international intervention and the entry of equipment. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories reported that four additional pumping trucks were brought into the Strip last week.