Heavy winter rains lashed Gaza City on Friday, with rainwater seeping into makeshift tents sheltering displaced families, soaking their bedding and belongings, and turning campgrounds into pools of dirty water. Days of cold weather and downpours left large parts of the displacement camps flooded, exposing people to bitter temperatures, mud and polluted water, and further deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.

The first major storm of this winter sent water surging through crowded camps, submerging temporary shelters and streets alike, and cutting off access to basic services in some areas. Many displaced Palestinians were living in fragile structures hastily built among ruined buildings, trying to reinforce their shelters with whatever materials they could find.