Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians face heightened danger from flooding and freezing temperatures as Storm Byron batters the Gaza Strip, the UN warned Monday.
The enclave, already reeling from two years of war, has been devastated by the severe winter storm. Palestinian sources report that 12 people have died, thousands of makeshift homes have been flooded, and 13 buildings have collapsed. In one incident, five people were buried beneath a collapsed structure.
According to the UN’s migration agency, nearly 800,000 displaced Palestinians are at serious risk from rain and flooding. Many live in fragile tents or partially damaged homes that offer little protection against winter conditions.
READ ALSO: Hunger Crisis: 500 Families Receive Relief in FCT
“Our house in Gaza City was destroyed,” said Said Khalil, a displaced resident. “Now we live in a tent. When it rained, water poured in and the tent collapsed on top of us. We need containers to live in. These tents are not winterproof.”
Other residents say they have no choice but to return to damaged buildings. Yassin Al-Baghdadi recounted, “It was too difficult for my sick old mother to stay in the tent, so we moved back into our old house. We got out just in time before it collapsed. Where should we go? Where can we live?”
Aid groups are urging Israel to allow more humanitarian assistance into Gaza so that residents can begin rebuilding homes and critical infrastructure.
READ ALSO: U.S. Donates N50bn to Programme for Food, Nutrition Aid in Nigeria
The storm underscores the vulnerability of displaced populations in conflict zones and highlights the urgent need for emergency shelter, relief aid, and long-term reconstruction efforts.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.