Rainwater and sewage flood streets and tents in Gaza as storm brings heavy downpours expected through Friday

By Maha Hussaini and Mohammed al-Hajjar in Gaza City, occupied Palestine
Published date: 11 December 2025 12:50 GMT

A Palestinian infant died from the cold on Thursday as heavy rain across the Gaza Strip continued for a second day, flooding tented encampments and roads.

Eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Jazar died in Khan Younis after rainwater leaked into her family’s tent during overnight storms.

Her family was among hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians awoken in the night as torrential downpours inundated the makeshift shelters they rely on for protection.

Gaza’s war-damaged sewage system also overflowed under the heavy rain.

“We are drowning in rainwater mixed with sewage,” said Amal Eleiwa from Gaza City.