Gaza:With thousands of displacement tents submerged by rainwater, the Palestinian Health Ministry has called for urgent international intervention as a low-pressure weather system continues to wreak havoc across the Gaza Strip.

According to Qatar News Agency, Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan has issued an appeal to the international community, including the United Nations and various health and humanitarian organizations, to provide immediate assistance to the region. The appeal highlights the critical situation of hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals whose lives are at risk due to deteriorating health and environmental conditions, compounded by the threat of infectious diseases.

The Health Minister emphasized the complexity of the crisis, citing widespread infrastructure destruction, failing water and sewage networks, and severe overcrowding in displacement centers as factors exacerbating the health risks. The minister warned of the increased likelihood of respiratory infections, including influenza and pneumonia, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

The Government Media Office in Gaza reported today that approximately 70,000 tents sheltering displaced people have been inundated with rainwater. The office estimated initial losses at around USD 3 million and noted that the adverse weather has led to the collapse of numerous walls, causing injuries of varying severity across the region.

Furthermore, the office expressed concern over the potential collapse of structurally unstable buildings, already weakened by ongoing military bombardments. It attributed responsibility for the crisis to the Israeli occupation, citing the blockade and restrictions on essential materials needed for shelter and reconstruction.

The weather system, characterized by a deep low-pressure and cold air mass, has been affecting the Gaza Strip since Friday, bringing intermittent heavy rains that have severely impacted the displaced population’s living conditions and resources.