Winter rains flood Gaza tents as Israel bombs, demolishes Palestinian homes

Tents housing thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been flooded by heavy rains that fell early on Wednesday, amid continued Israeli bombardment of the enclave.

Turkey's Anadolu news agency reported that rainwater exceeded 40 centimetres in some tents, with Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal warning of an "imminent humanitarian disaster" due to the current weather.

Earlier this week, the World Food Programme urged for unfettered access for aid into Gaza, as winter compounds the issues faced by Palestinians living there, while still experiencing severe food insecurity.

The UN agency highlighted that heavy rains in November released sewage from dugout drains, affecting some 13,000 households.

Gaza's Municipality said on Wednesday that rainwater drainage capacity has decreased by 80%, and more than 90% of water pumps have been destroyed by Israel.

Municipality spokesperson Hosni Muhanna told Anadolu agency that the storm has hit at a time when Gaza's "infrastructure is already suffering widespread collapse, especially after the destruction of seven out of eight main sewage pumping stations".

Amid the harsh weather conditions, Israel has continued its attacks on Gaza in violation of the ceasefire.

Israeli quadcopter drones dropped bombs on the eastern part of Gaza City's Tuffah neighbourhood overnight, and military vehicles opened heavy fire east of the town of Qarara.

Gaza's Government Media Office on Tuesday said that Israel has committed 738 violations of the truce agreement, which came into effect on 10 October. The violations include 37 military incursions into residential areas, 358 bombings on civilians and their homes, and 138 demolitions.

These attacks have killed at least 386 Palestinians, and wounded 980 others, according to the office.

Israel's war on Gaza has killed at least 70,366 Palestinians and wounded 171,064 since October 2023, Gaza's health ministry said in its latest statement.