Five killed as sand mound collapses on Gaza tents after heavy rain

Five people, including three children and two women, died when a sand mound collapsed onto tents for displaced people in central Gaza, following heavy rains that began Saturday. The collapse occurred at a reception center south of Deir al-Balah, according to Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal, who said rescue teams are still searching for missing persons. The agency warned displaced people to avoid pitching tents near sand piles or earth mounds during rainfall. Palestinian authorities reported that Saturday's rains flooded tens of thousands of tents sheltering displaced people across war-torn Gaza, leaving many without shelter. Hamas-run government media said approximately 70,000 tents were flooded on the first day of rain.