Storm Byron reached Gaza on the evening of 10 December. Heavy rain flooded tents and makeshift shelters across the Strip, where nearly everyone had been displaced during more than two years of war.
By 12 December, Gaza’s civil defence said at least 16 people had died in 24 hours, including three children who died from the cold. Damaged buildings collapsed in the storm.
Water entered the tent despite all the precautions we took
A displaced resident of Gaza, speaking to Al Mezan
When rainwater meets sewage
With water and sewage systems wrecked, floodwater mixed with wastewater and spread through the camps. A UN report said 761 displacement sites, home to about 850,000 people, were at high risk of flooding. Local sources estimated around 27,000 tents were flooded, blown away or damaged.
That mix of sewage, cold and crowding is a serious health risk, especially for young children.
What clean water changes in winter
- Health: working sewage systems keep waste out of shelters.
- Safety: proper shelter and drainage protect families from flooding.
- Warmth: dry, clean conditions help children survive the cold.
How you can help
Share this story so Gaza’s winter isn’t forgotten. Follow organisations working on shelter, water and sanitation in Gaza, and tell someone what families are facing.
Source: The New Arab / AFP, “At least 16 dead in Gaza as heavy rains batter devastated territory”, 13 December 2025; Al-Monitor / AFP, “Winter storm brings fresh hardship to displaced Gazans”, 11 December 2025; quote and tent figures: Al Mezan, 14 December 2025.
