In the past 24 hours, devastating Storm Byron has struck the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 people amid widespread destruction. The severe weather has caused the collapse of houses, walls, and tents across the territory, compounding the suffering of a population already battered by years of conflict and blockade.
Among the victims are two children who succumbed to hypothermia, according to local reports. The storm’s torrential rains have flooded hundreds of tents housing displaced families, many of whom have little to no means to protect themselves from the harsh conditions.
A tragic highlight is the death of eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Jazar, who died of exposure to cold after water inundated her family’s tent in Khan Younis. Her mother, Hejar Abu Jazar, tearfully recounted feeding her daughter before they went to sleep, only to wake up to the devastating loss.
International aid agencies and health officials have expressed grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis, with exhaustion and lack of resources making it difficult for Palestinians to cope with the natural disaster. The storm has exacerbated the ongoing hardships faced by Gaza’s residents, many of whom remain displaced and vulnerable.
As the Gaza Strip grapples with the aftermath of the storm, calls are growing for urgent humanitarian assistance to prevent further tragedies and to address the dire needs of those affected.