Hamas calls on mediators to pressure Israel to allow entry of shelter materials
Hamas blames Israel for the “tragic conditions” Palestinians in Gaza are enduring due to the ongoing blockade of materials to secure shelters.
“We call on mediators and guarantors to pressure the occupying government to allow the entry of necessary shelter materials and to open the Rafah crossing in both directions,” the Palestinian group said.
Hamas said Israel was “reneging on its commitments under the ceasefire agreement”.
One way in which Israel denies displaced Palestinians an opportunity to secure their flimsy tents, now threatened by wind and more rain, is by refusing to allow in poles, referring to them as a “dual-use” item which could be used beyond civilian needs.
A displaced Palestinian child walks in a tent camp on a rainy day in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip
Gaza’s displaced families brace for the worst as storm picks up
The storm is getting much more aggressive. Meteorologists just confirmed that the wind is moving at a speed of 40 to 50km/h (25 to 31mph), and is expected to reach as high as 80km/h (50mph).
Many displaced families set up their tents here, near the seaport area of Gaza City. Thousands of tents have been set up. Many of them are held up by thin poles, worn out ropes and plastic sheets. These shelters barely withstand normal conditions.
Many people we’ve seen over the past 30 minutes or so are leaving this area because we’re expecting the wind to pick up. They’re trying to get deeper inside Gaza City, to shelter in any of the remaining intact buildings – at least for the night.
Gaza City tents blown away as strong winds lash displacement camp
For the past 45 minutes, there’s been a nonstop downpour that’s already flooded the streets. It’s getting dark now but this displacement camp site has been badly affected by the rain. We’ve seen many families forced out of their tents as they were flooded.
We’ve also seen many of these tents blown away by the winds, and many [others] were brought down by the heavy downpour. It looks like it’s going to be a very difficult night for displaced families inside these tents that are not designed to withstand strong winds and heavy rain.
Along with every other struggle that people have been going through for the past two years, there’s another battle now with the forces of nature.
