Five Palestinians, including children, killed in sand collapse at Deir Al-Balah displacement camp

The Civil Defense in Gaza announced that five Palestinians, including children, died after a sand collapse struck a camp sheltering displaced people in the southern area of Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza.

The Civil Defense explained that the collapse caused fatalities inside the displacement camp, adding to the risks faced by Palestinian families forced to live in tents and unsuitable areas as difficult humanitarian conditions persist in the enclave.

The incident occurred as Gaza was hit by a weather front bringing heavy rain and strong winds, which flooded and damaged tens of thousands of tents sheltering displaced residents.

Authorities have also warned of the risk of collapse for buildings and structures already damaged by the war.

The Gaza Government Media Office reported that around 70,000 tents were damaged in the first hours of the storm, affecting the situation of about 350,000 displaced people amid a severe shortage of shelter, heating supplies, and equipment needed to cope with the harsh weather.