Palestinian displaced persons in Gaza marked the first nights of Ramadan under harsh humanitarian conditions, as heavy rains flooded dozens of tents that housed them and the remnants of destroyed homes they sought refuge in, due to Israel's delay in allowing mobile homes and heavy equipment to improve their living conditions as per the ceasefire agreement.
اضافة اعلان
By the time of Suhoor, rainwater seeped into the tents, soaking the belongings of the displaced, forcing many, especially women and children, to leave without alternative shelter to protect them from the bitter cold.
At the same time, Palestinians who had returned to the remains of their destroyed homes found themselves surrounded by water seeping through the ceilings and cracked walls, with no means of protecting themselves from the harsh weather.
The streets were also flooded with rainwater, while emergency response teams from the municipalities attempted to manage the situation with their limited capabilities due to a shortage of equipment and resources, exacerbated by Israel's failure to implement the obligations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, according to the spokesperson for Gaza's municipality, Hosni Mehna, speaking to Anadolu Agency.
According to the Government Media Office in Gaza, Israel has destroyed about 88% of the infrastructure in Gaza during more than 15 months of genocidal warfare, including homes, hospitals, vital institutions, and essential services.
Limited Resources
Due to the compounded humanitarian crises resulting from Israel's refusal to allow mobile homes and the lack of necessary heavy equipment to address the disaster, the living conditions of the displaced people continue to worsen, Mehna said.
He continued, "The displaced people are facing their fate alone. Despite all the calls, the occupation still obstructs the entry of relief supplies for the affected, leaving tens of thousands of them exposed to the rain and cold."
He pointed out that the first nights of Ramadan had turned from times of peace and worship into hours of cold and suffering.
Mehna noted that the municipality's teams are attempting to manage the consequences of the weather conditions, despite their limited resources, but are facing huge challenges due to the massive destruction and lack of resources.
He added, "Israel is depriving our people of even the most basic essentials of life, while we, at the Gaza Municipality and other municipalities, are trying, with our limited capabilities, to alleviate the suffering."
He emphasized the urgent need for intervention to pressure Israel to allow the entry of the necessary equipment and machinery to address the crisis.
Escalating Crisis
These severe weather conditions come at a time when Gaza is suffering from an acute humanitarian crisis due to Israel's strict restrictions on the enclave, with a shortage of food supplies, humanitarian assistance, and aid, as well as deteriorating health conditions for the displaced, according to Mehna.
Human rights and humanitarian organizations had previously warned of worsening health crises as displaced people lacked even the most basic necessities of life.
On January 19, 2024, a ceasefire agreement, along with a prisoner exchange, came into effect between Hamas and Israel. The agreement consists of three phases, each lasting 42 days, with negotiations for the next phase required before the current phase ends.
While negotiations for the second phase were supposed to begin on February 3, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blocked them, as he wanted to extend the first phase only.
Netanyahu fears entering the second phase of the agreement, which involves ending the genocidal war and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, fearing the collapse of his government coalition, which includes ministers from the far-right who oppose such a step.
The first phase of the agreement is expected to end by Saturday, without an agreement on entering the second phase.
With U.S. support, Israel has committed genocide in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2025, leaving more than 160,000 Palestinians dead or injured, most of whom are women and children, and over 14,000 missing. -(Anadolu)
