The Palestinian Civil Defense Directorate issued an urgent weather warning on Tuesday. Officials cautioned that heavy rains and strong winds threaten nearly 950,000 displaced Palestinians.
United Nations figures indicate that these residents currently live in areas exposed to moderate or high flood risks. The weather system is expected to affect the enclave.
In an official statement, the directorate urged residents to take preventive measures. The agency specifically addressed displaced people living in tents and temporary shelters.
Families residing in homes damaged by Israeli bombardment also face severe risks. Officials warned of potential partial building collapses caused by heavy rain and strong winds.
The directorate advised residents to firmly secure plastic coverings and tent pegs. People were also told to build earthen barriers around tents and dig channels to drain rainwater.
Residents should keep their belongings elevated above ground level. The agency warned against living in structurally damaged buildings or pitching tents near them, urging people to move to safer locations.
Humanitarian and community organisations received an appeal to urgently provide safe shelter. The directorate asked these groups to strengthen protection against severe weather conditions.
Gaza faces a worsening shelter crisis. Widespread destruction of residential neighbourhoods during Israel’s military offensive forced Palestinians into tents, temporary shelters and damaged buildings.
Figures released by Gaza’s government media office in August 2026 showed more than 2.15 million displaced Palestinians across the enclave. This total includes approximately 867,000 people in deteriorating tents and more than one million in shelter centres.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on October 15 that about 950,000 displaced Palestinians lived in locations exposed to moderate or high flood risks. More than 400,000 of those face high flood risks, while approximately 44,000 people stay in more than 2,300 structurally unsafe buildings. OCHA also stated that 294,250 families require shelter assistance ahead of the rainy season.
Displaced Palestinians face the risk of rainwater flooding their tents or strong winds tearing them apart. Low-lying areas are vulnerable to flash floods amid damaged drainage systems and shortages of emergency response equipment. Israeli restrictions on the entry of shelter materials and equipment needed to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure are in place, despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, 2025.
