GAZA (Business Emerge / Middle East): Authorities in Gaza reported that intense rainfall has triggered further collapses of structures already weakened by earlier military damage, complicating efforts to recover people believed to be trapped beneath debris. Emergency services said ongoing storms have reduced access to affected sites and slowed rescue operations across several districts.
Local officials said two residential buildings gave way late last week during heavy rain, resulting in multiple fatalities. Health authorities confirmed at least 12 deaths from those incidents. The same weather system caused flooding in temporary shelters, including tented areas, and was linked to additional deaths caused by exposure to cold and wet conditions.
The collapses occurred in areas where damaged buildings had remained standing due to a lack of alternatives for displaced residents. Many families had continued to occupy unsafe structures after being unable to secure other shelter. Emergency responders stated that unstable debris and standing water have made body recovery hazardous and time consuming.
Available figures indicate that nearly the entire population of Gaza remains displaced following prolonged hostilities that ended with a ceasefire earlier this year. Humanitarian organisations have stated that the volume of aid entering the territory remains limited, leaving shortages in housing materials, equipment, and essential services. Officials on the ground said that rain has worsened already difficult living conditions.
Civil defence representatives urged external partners to prioritise the delivery of mobile housing units and prefabricated shelters instead of fabric tents. They said tents provide minimal protection against winter conditions and are unsuitable for areas where flooding and structural collapse are common. Authorities warned that without sturdier shelter options, further casualties are likely as storms continue.
One of the buildings that collapsed last week had been partially damaged months earlier and remained occupied by several families. Residents of the building had previously attempted to live in tents but were forced to leave those shelters after flooding. Rescue teams later recovered several bodies from the site, while others remained buried due to limited equipment and unsafe conditions.
International relief officials said that winter storms have sharply increased risks for displaced families sheltering among damaged buildings and debris. They stated that cold temperatures and rain have led to hypothermia cases, while saturated ground has weakened remaining structures. Aid agencies reported that essential supplies, including shelter materials and winter items, have been delayed outside the territory.
Estimates provided by local and international officials indicate that approximately 300,000 additional tents are required to meet immediate shelter needs. About 1.5 million people are still without permanent housing. Many existing tents are described as worn or constructed from thin materials that deteriorate quickly under harsh weather.
Gaza authorities also said that recovery teams continue to search for thousands of people believed to remain buried under rubble from earlier bombardments. Officials estimated that around 9,000 bodies have yet to be recovered. The process has been slowed by a shortage of heavy machinery, fuel constraints, and unsafe working conditions caused by rain and unstable debris.
On Monday, rescue workers recovered remains from a multi storey building struck during fighting late last year. Officials said dozens of people had been sheltering there at the time, including many children. Only a portion of the remains have been retrieved so far, with further efforts delayed by weather and safety concerns.
Authorities said that continued rainfall is expected to maintain pressure on emergency services and displaced families in the coming days. Without additional shelter materials and recovery equipment, officials warned that both rescue operations and civilian safety will remain severely constrained.
