A powerful winter storm struck Gaza on Tuesday, bringing extreme cold, heavy rain, and strong winds that flooded hospitals and displaced thousands of families living in tents, further worsening the humanitarian crisis.

Media reports said rainwater leaked into parts of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, including the reception and emergency departments, disrupting medical services. The hospital—already severely damaged by repeated Israeli strikes—has been unable to complete rehabilitation due to restrictions on the entry of essential equipment.

Strong winds and flooding also swept away or submerged thousands of displacement tents across the Gaza Strip. “The wind uprooted our tent and scattered our belongings,” said displaced Palestinian Khaled Abdel Aziz. “We are sitting in the rain with nowhere to shelter.”

Hundreds of residents sought refuge under partially destroyed buildings, while Gaza Civil Defense warned that thousands of damaged homes are at risk of collapse due to the storm. “These structures pose a serious danger to hundreds of thousands of people,” spokesman Mahmoud Basal said.

At least 14 people were killed in last week’s storm, with more than 27,000 tents damaged or destroyed and 13 buildings collapsing, according to Civil Defense. Nearly 250,000 families remain in displacement camps, facing severe weather with minimal shelter.

Despite a ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10, conditions in Gaza remain dire, as restrictions on aid continue. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 70,600 Palestinians—mostly women and children—and injured over 171,100 others.