Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Storm Byron has hit the Gaza Strip, killing at least 14 people and injuring many others as strong winds, heavy rain, and collapsing structures worsen the crisis for families already displaced by the Israeli assault. In Bir an-Naaja, a house sheltering displaced civilians collapsed overnight, killing five people. Additional deaths occurred in Gaza City, Shati refugee camp, and al-Mawasi, including infants and children exposed to freezing conditions.
Medical teams report a sharp rise in deaths caused by cold and poor shelter. Nine-year-old Hadeel al-Masri and baby Taim al-Khawaja died in shelters, while eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Jazar drowned after rain flooded her family’s tent in Khan Younis. Many families are living in roofless, bombed-out homes, lacking protection from the storm.
Heavy rain and winds have destroyed tents and shelters for roughly 850,000 people across 761 sites. Large sections of Gaza’s shoreline have collapsed, endangering families living near the coast. Palestinians, displaced multiple times due to war, face “a new wave of suffering,” with flimsy shelters collapsing under harsh conditions.
Civil defence teams report at least 12 building collapses in areas previously hit by Israeli strikes. Emergency teams have received over 4,300 distress calls since the storm began. Despite limited equipment and fuel, rescue operations continue, with teams retrieving bodies and helping injured children.
Authorities urge international actors to pressure Israel to allow critical aid, shelter, and winter supplies into Gaza. Most of the population remains homeless, living in tents or destroyed homes without protection from rain and cold.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem described the deaths as a continuation of the war’s devastation, calling for urgent international action to provide proper shelter and prevent further loss of life in Gaza.
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