UNRWA on Tuesday warned that Winter’s “harsh conditions combined with destruction and displacement are increasing the risk of infections and diseases.”
Severe Winter weather has deepened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with heavy rains causing the flooding of tents sheltering displaced Palestinians.
In the al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, several tents were destroyed by rainfall, while others were blown away by strong winds in the area, the Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday.
Displaced families in Khan Younis in southern Gaza are facing severe humanitarian conditions as dozens of tents sheltering them have flooded after their homes were destroyed during the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. pic.twitter.com/cZcMksBSqj
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 25, 2025
“The situation in the city is extremely catastrophic due to the destruction of most roads, water, and sewage networks by the Israeli war,” Saib Luqan, a spokesman for Khan Younis Municipality, told Anadolu.
According to local authorities, the Israeli army has destroyed 220,000 linear meters of road networks over the past two years.
Nearly 900,000 people in Khan Younis are currently facing “tragic and grim” conditions due to bad weather conditions, Luqan said.
The spokesman added that municipal teams are working with insufficient equipment to help displaced civilians affected by the bad weather.
Struggling Medical Facilities
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza also reported that dozens of tents sheltering displaced families were inundated by floodwaters, forcing families to evacuate and placing hundreds of thousands at further risk.
The operation department at the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in southern Gaza Strip was just flooded with water following heavy rain that hit the area.
The hospital is still struggling with inadequate infrastructure after Israel destroyed its main building in Rafah. pic.twitter.com/CfvieMjl0f
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 25, 2025
He reportedly said that the makeshift tents are ill-equipped to withstand the current weather conditions, while the flooding also impacted already-struggling medical facilities.
In Khan Yunis, operating rooms and hospital corridors were overtaken by rainwater, hampering emergency care efforts, Al Mayadeen reported.
Poor Sanitary Conditions
UNRWA on Tuesday warned that Winter’s “harsh conditions combined with destruction and displacement are increasing the risk of infections and diseases.”
The UN agency pointed out that people “are living in cold and poor sanitary conditions” without decent housing.
It’s raining again in #Gaza. Winter’s harsh conditions combined with destruction and displacement are increasing the risk of infections and diseases.
People are living in cold and poor sanitary conditions without decent housing.
This can be prevented by an unimpeded flow of… pic.twitter.com/6rCmmo7IkN
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) November 25, 2025
“This can be prevented by an unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, including medical and shelter supplies,” it stated.
UNRWA also stressed that access to safe water “remains one of the most urgent needs” in Gaza.
Hamas Urges Global Action
In response to the worsening crisis, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem issued a statement condemning the lack of effective Arab and international action, according to Al Mayadeen.
“Gaza is once again drowning in tents because of the rain,” Qassem said. “All the world’s efforts have failed to alleviate the catastrophe because of the Israeli blockade, and the Arab and Islamic system has been unable to aid Gaza despite resolutions by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.”
🚨HEARTBREAKING: Heavy rain pours down on the tents of displaced families in Gaza today, worsening their already unbearable daily hardships. pic.twitter.com/kjF9vm6BIV
— Gaza Notifications (@gazanotice) November 25, 2025
Urging the Arab, Muslim, and international communities to take action, he said, “Gaza has a right upon you. Do not leave it to face an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, as it was left under the genocide.”
According to the Gaza Government Media Office, 1.5 million Palestinians are displaced in Gaza, living in catastrophic conditions with little access to basic necessities and severely limited essential services due to Israel’s ongoing blockade.
Staggering Death Toll
Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so far resulted in the deaths of close to 70,000 Palestinians, with more than 170,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.
Israeli Violations Continue in Gaza as Palestinian Killed near Khan Yunis
In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.
Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.
(PC, Anadolu, Al Mayadeen)
