Gaza: When Rain Becomes as Terrifying as Bombardment
Displaced families in Gaza face a dual crisis of ongoing conflict and severe flooding.
1Living Under Siege
Displaced families in Gaza's Al Majd camp face a harrowing reality where rain is as feared as artillery fire. Since the conflict began in October 2023, residents have lived in fragile tents. The author, a father of eight, describes the constant threat from nearby tank fire and the daily struggle for survival.
2Flooding Destroys Essentials
Recent storms flooded the camp, soaking mattresses, clothing, and cooking utensils. With no dry space left, families spent the night bailing out water to prevent total collapse. The lack of proper drainage means that even minor rainfall turns the ground into a deep, muddy pool, rendering the makeshift shelters completely uninhabitable for children.
3The Burden of Desperation
The author recounts the psychological toll of being asked to document the suffering through photography. Many residents believe that images might attract aid, a sign of their profound desperation. Meanwhile, the lack of electricity prevents the use of solar panels, forcing families to pay for limited charging services in a crippled economy.
4Health and Safety Risks
Beyond the water, the camp is infested with rats, insects, and reptiles, including snakes found inside tents. These conditions pose severe health risks to children, who suffer from constant fear and trauma. The lack of clean, dry clothing and the destruction of medical supplies further exacerbate the dire public health situation for families.
5Education and Future Lost
The conflict has halted the education of many young people, including the author's adopted son, who cannot attend university due to the demands of daily survival. While some attempt to study remotely, the reality of living in a war zone makes academic progress nearly impossible, leading many to lose hope for the future.
6Wedding Plans Amidst Ruin
The impact of the weather extends to personal milestones, such as a neighbor's upcoming wedding. Her bridal dress was ruined by mud and water, symbolizing the loss of normalcy. Many residents have lost family members to the war, adding deep emotional grief to the physical struggle of maintaining a basic, dry living space.
7Failed Infrastructure Efforts
The author attempted to improve his living conditions by purchasing expensive tarps and trying to source sand to elevate the tent floor, but these efforts failed. Without access to basic construction materials or professional support, families are left to navigate the mud using makeshift paths made from stones salvaged from destroyed homes.
8The Search for Escape
Exhausted by the cycle of destruction, the author is now actively seeking ways to evacuate his family from Gaza. He reflects on the loss of his home as the loss of his homeland, concluding that survival has become a full-time, soul-crushing job that leaves no room for a sustainable or hopeful future.
Original article: El País – Internacional — Gaza: When Rain Becomes as Terrifying as Bombardment