By Harshit
GAZA CITY, Dec. 13 —
Oxfam has condemned Israeli authorities for continuing to block the entry of essential shelter materials, fuel and water infrastructure into Gaza, warning that civilians remain “exposed to entirely preventable harm” as Storm Byron batters the enclave. The international aid group’s assessment comes amid rising casualties, collapsing structures and widespread flooding that have intensified the suffering of families already displaced by two years of relentless war.
The storm’s destructive winds and unrelenting rainfall have killed at least 14 people since Wednesday, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Interior and National Security, with dozens more injured. Humanitarian agencies say the combination of war damage, lack of construction materials and extreme weather has created an unprecedented emergency across the Strip.
Storm Byron Deepens Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
Storm Byron swept across the Gaza Strip with force, triggering building collapses, displacing thousands, and flooding vast tent cities where more than 1.5 million Palestinians live in makeshift structures.
Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that at least 13 homes collapsed across the enclave, many already weakened by Israeli airstrikes.
More than 27,000 tents were swept away or fully submerged, and more than 250,000 displaced Palestinians were directly affected.
Infrastructure, roads, sewage networks and agricultural areas suffered extensive damage, complicating rescue efforts and making it harder for emergency crews to reach trapped families.
Civil Defence teams said they recorded over 38 emergency tasks in a 24-hour period, ranging from ambulance operations to structural rescues.
Aid Restrictions Magnify Threat to Civilians
Oxfam warned that the situation in Gaza has become “a complex humanitarian catastrophe,” saying Israel’s continued restrictions on fuel, shelter materials and water systems prevent agencies from responding adequately.
Shelter NGOs say thousands of tents were already deteriorating, some held together with plastic sheets and wire, before the storm hit. Without access to concrete, timber, metal poles or repair kits, families have no way to rebuild or fortify their shelters against winter weather.
UN agencies have echoed the warning. OCHA reported that 761 displacement sites, hosting approximately 850,000 people, are at high risk of flooding.
The Palestinian Anera organisation said conditions were “appalling,” adding that heavy flooding forced its central kitchen in Deir el-Balah to shut down.
Aid Ship Departs Turkiye Carrying 1,300 Tonnes of Relief Supplies
Efforts to deliver humanitarian support continue despite the blockade. A vessel carrying 1,300 tonnes of aid, prepared by the Turkish Red Crescent, departed from Turkiye’s Mersin port on Friday. It includes food, hygiene kits, blankets and clothing, and is expected to be offloaded in Egypt’s Port of El Arish before being transported into Gaza.
“By delivering more than 18,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid so far, we have built an uninterrupted bridge of hope from Turkiye to Gaza,” said Turkish Red Crescent board member Kamil Karadeniz.
Casualties Mount Despite Ceasefire
Despite the US-brokered ceasefire established in October, Israeli attacks continue at a lower intensity across several areas of Gaza.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that three bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours, including two people killed by Israeli fire and one previously recovered.
This raises the total killed since the ceasefire to 386, with 1,018 injured.
Since the war began in October 2023, Israel’s assaults have killed 70,654 Palestinians and injured more than 171,000, the ministry said.
In southern Gaza, the Israeli military claimed troops shot a Palestinian who allegedly crossed the invisible “yellow line,” the demarcation set under the ceasefire. Human rights groups say the line is unmarked and unpredictable, making it nearly impossible for civilians to avoid.
Regional Tensions Rise as Israel Expands Raids in Syria and West Bank
Beyond Gaza, Israeli operations continue across occupied Palestinian territories and neighbouring Syria.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces arrested at least four Palestinians in raids across Tulkarem, Qalqilya and Jenin. Another raid struck Nablus at dawn.
In southern Syria, Israeli troops advanced toward the village of Saida al-Hanout, set up a checkpoint and conducted home searches, according to state media. Local residents reportedly refused Israeli offers of food aid.