As the first major storm system following the cessation of hostilities hits the Gaza Strip, the dire situation of disabled individuals is becoming increasingly apparent. Torrential rains have flooded their already inadequate tents, exposing the vulnerability of a population struggling with basic survival.
Reports indicate that a camp housing over 100 disabled people in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, has been devastated by the downpour. The conditions, exacerbated by the recent conflict, have left residents desperately short of essential items. There is a critical lack of suitable clothing, beds, wheelchairs, blankets, and medical supplies tailored to their specific needs.
One Palestinian woman stated that many are now unable to leave their waterlogged tents because family members cannot navigate the destroyed streets, which have been transformed into muddy quagmires by the rain. The devastation across the Gaza Strip has further compounded their isolation.
A camp resident pleaded for assistance, emphasizing that these vulnerable individuals are simply seeking basic dignity and the means to survive in the face of widespread destruction. The ongoing blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip has severely restricted access to essential resources for all residents, including the disabled.
Despite an internationally brokered ceasefire agreement reached last month, commitments to allow the entry of vital humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and essential supplies like tents, have not been fully met. Hundreds of thousands of families are forced to seek shelter in dilapidated tents, often reused and relocated multiple times due to displacement caused by conflict.
DZWatch continues to monitor the situation and advocate for the rights and well-being of all Gazan civilians, particularly the most vulnerable. The international community is urged to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid.
