Severe winter storms spark urgent calls to lift Gaza aid blockades

UN agencies urge Israel to lift aid blocks as deadly winter storms flood Gaza tent camps.

Severe winter downpours have flooded thousands of family tents across Gaza, causing fatalities among displaced children and adults. The United Nations and humanitarian partners are urging Israel to remove entry restrictions on critical winter supplies and mobile medical units. Meanwhile, military officials maintain that thousands of tents have already entered the territory and accuse militant groups of exploiting the crisis.

• The casualtiesSevere storms and flooding have killed both children and adults living in makeshift shelters across the strip.
• The suppliesOver 150,000 tents remain stuck outside the territory while humanitarian groups report that mobile maternity units are sitting unused in Cairo.
• The restrictionsInternational agencies cite strict controls and security blockades on building materials as the primary bottleneck for winter preparations.

What's new · 9h agoThe United Nations and humanitarian partners have issued a direct joint appeal for Israel to lift restrictions as storms cause fatalities.

Written from 3 of 4 outlets — 1 has since joined this story.