Reaction from Hamas to the Peace Board

In the written statement made by Hamas, it was stated that the Peace Council's statement regarding the repercussions of the flood was closely followed.

In the statement, it was pointed out that the seriousness of the humanitarian situation and the Israeli government's delay in allowing the entry of shelter and recovery materials were acknowledged in the board statement, but it was emphasized that the facts regarding Israel's responsibility in preventing the implementation of the Trump plan and road map approved by Hamas and Palestinian groups were ignored in the text.

In the statement, it was pointed out that the allegations that Hamas prevented the implementation of the road map contradicted the official statements of the mediators, especially Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, and reminded that the mediator countries confirmed on August 3, 2026 that although Hamas and the groups approved the road map, Israeli violations disrupted the implementation of the second phase.

The statement emphasized that turning a humanitarian disaster and life-saving aid into an element of political pressure is incompatible with humanitarian and legal obligations, and noted that the United Nations (UN) reported that tens of thousands of families were affected by the flood, but a large number of shelter materials were kept outside the border, waiting to be allowed to enter.

Hamas called on the Peace Board, the party responsible for implementing the plan, to clarify its responsibility for its "negligence" in combating the humanitarian crisis, to force the Israeli government to fulfill its phase one commitments, and to open the border crossings to aid, shelter and recovery supplies, regardless of any political or security conditions.

The Gaza Peace Board warned of an "emergency" regarding the severe floods in the region and the approaching winter conditions and called on Israel to allow the necessary aid materials to enter Gaza.

70 thousand tents flooded in Gaza

Cold weather conditions accompanied by heavy rain and wind have continued to affect the Gaza Strip since November 6.

According to the data announced by the media office of the government in Gaza and the Civil Defense Directorate, 70 thousand tents and all the camps where the displaced people stayed were flooded due to adverse weather conditions.

While 4 houses and dozens of walls, which were heavily damaged in Israel's genocidal attacks, collapsed, it was reported that the condition of some Palestinians injured due to the adverse conditions was critical.

Approximately 2 thousand buildings may collapse at any time

In his previous statement, Gaza Ministry of Health Director General Munir al-Bursh warned that approximately 2 thousand buildings damaged in Israeli attacks could collapse at any time and fall on Palestinians living in or around them.

Burş said that families who could not leave their homes had to stay in these structures despite the danger to their lives because they could not find an alternative shelter or tent.

Destruction caused by Israeli attacks deepens the housing crisis

More than 80 percent of the buildings in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has continued its attacks since October 2023, were destroyed or severely damaged.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are struggling to survive in makeshift tents and temporary shelters as most of the residences have become unusable.

Heavy rains in Gaza flooded many tents housing displaced Palestinians, further worsening the already dire housing conditions.

Israel's restrictions on the entry of containers, tents, tarpaulins and basic humanitarian aid materials into the region make it difficult for Palestinians to be protected from cold weather and rains.

Israel's failure to fulfill its humanitarian obligations under the ceasefire agreement is also among the obstacles to meeting the shelter and reconstruction needs in the region.

*Photo: AA is representative