‘We do not want to die from the cold’: Gaza families struggle as rain floods shelters

Mansour al-Sakni, a 33-year-old resident of Gaza City's s al-Tuffah neighbourhood, described the harrowing experience of his family as their makeshift shelter was inundated by rainwater. Despite recently replacing their tarpaulins with new sheets, the family found themselves facing a desperate situation. Sakni had even sold two water barrels in order to afford the replacement sheets, believing they would provide adequate protection from the elements.

However, when the first winter storm hit the Gaza Strip, the shelter proved insufficiently watertight. Upon waking to find their home submerged, Sakni and his wife watched in horror as their children cried out for help. The family attempted to evacuate the water, but their efforts were in vain. Sakni expressed his despair, stating, "We do not want to die from the cold."