A tragic incident in the central Gaza Strip has resulted in the deaths of five Palestinians after a sandy embankment gave way, burying tents used by displaced people. The victims, identified as two women and three children, were killed amid heavy rainfall that has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the territory.
Mahmud Bassal, the spokesperson for Gaza's civil defence agency, confirmed the collapse occurred at a shelter centre located south of Deir al-Balah. According to Bassal, rescue teams remain active at the site as they continue to search for missing individuals. Footage shared on social media captured the desperate scene, showing groups of men working to move a large stone slab while others used shovels to dig through the debris.
The civil defence agency has issued a stern warning to displaced families, urging them to avoid setting up tents or remaining near sand masses and elevated soil mounds, particularly during periods of rain, citing the significant danger these structures pose. The agency has also appealed to humanitarian organizations to supply the necessary equipment to help manage these risks.
The impact of the weather has been widespread across the territory. Palestinian government media reports indicate that approximately 70,000 tents were flooded on the first day of the heavy rain, leaving tens of thousands of displaced people without adequate shelter. Furthermore, the authorities reported that dozens of walls and roofs, already weakened by previous damage, collapsed under the strain, resulting in numerous injuries, some of which are critical.
Since the onset of the heavy rainfall on Saturday, hundreds of families have been forced to flee camps across Gaza City, as well as the central and northern regions, after their shelters were completely inundated by water. The region continues to grapple with the aftermath of two years of war, which has left the vast majority of the population displaced and reliant on makeshift housing. While a fragile ceasefire came into effect on October 10, 2025, reports indicate that the Israeli military continues to conduct air strikes and ground operations across Gaza.
