Mahmoud Basel, spokesperson for the Civil Defense, affirmed that tents have completely failed in the Gaza Strip, as they have not provided protection from the cold or the rain and are no longer a viable humanitarian solution under these harsh conditions.

He said that more than 90% of the tents were flooded or blown away due to strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing thousands of families to lose their temporary shelter and resulting in damage to clothing and blankets. He added that 18 residential buildings collapsed completely due to the low-pressure weather systems affecting the Strip, leading to the deaths of 25 citizens, including six children. He also confirmed that more than 110 residential buildings suffered dangerous partial collapses, posing a direct threat to the lives of thousands of residents living in or near them.

Basel noted that Civil Defense teams have received more than 700 appeals and emergency calls from citizens since the beginning of this weather system, ranging from rescuing people trapped by floodwaters to responding to collapses and severe damage.