Storm Byron Devastates Gaza, Leaving 14 Dead and Homes Flooded

Gaza has been struck by Storm Byron, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 individuals and a number of injuries as powerful winds and heavy rainfall wreak havoc on already vulnerable shelters and homes. The Gaza Ministry of Interior and National Security confirmed the tragic collapse of a structure in Bir an-Naaja housing displaced families, leading to five casualties overnight.

In the Remal neighborhood of Gaza City, two more lives were lost when a wall fell onto makeshift tents early in the morning. The day prior, a fatal incident occurred in the Shati refugee camp, and a newborn succumbed to the extreme cold in al-Mawasi. Hospitals within Gaza are reporting a concerning rise in cold-related deaths, including nine-year-old Hadeel al-Masri in a shelter and baby Taim al-Khawaja in the Shati camp. In Khan Younis, eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Jazar tragically lost her life after her family’s tent was inundated by rain.

Family members revealed that Rahaf’s family had been residing in a bombed house after their home was levelled by an Israeli airstrike. Rescue personnel are working tirelessly amidst the debris in Beit Lahiya, searching for other possible victims from collapsed structures.

Al Jazeera has reported that the storm has transformed temporary shelters into perilous conditions. Authorities are cautioning that ongoing floods, rain, and hail may further impact around 850,000 residents, including numerous children in 761 shelters. With tents being destroyed, many families face an urgent need for safe accommodation. A significant portion of the coastline has eroded, placing tents near the shoreline in even greater peril.

Currently, most Palestinians in Gaza are homeless, with a minimum of 10 structures collapsing within the last day. As there are insufficient tents or alternative accommodations, people remain in damaged buildings, while Israel persists in blocking winter assistance. Civil defense teams have responded to over 4,300 emergency requests and confirmed at least 12 collapsed buildings, previously damaged by Israeli strikes.

Despite limited resources and equipment, rescue operations are ongoing. The Ministry of Interior has called for international assistance to urge Israel to permit much-needed aid and shelter supplies into Gaza. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem has described this latest loss of life due to the storm as part of the ongoing “war of extermination,” shedding light on the dire living situations exacerbated by prior attacks. He has pleaded for immediate global intervention to secure adequate shelter and protection against extreme weather.