Flooding in Gaza leaves thousands without shelter after heavy rains

Heavy rains and flooding have devastated tent camps in Gaza, leaving thousands without shelter and inundating at least 70,000 tents, according to the Hamas-run government media office. The disaster has triggered a new humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Local civil defense received 1,500 emergency calls in 10 hours, with water levels reaching 30-40 centimeters in some areas. Gaza's al-Shifa hospital emergency room was flooded and suspended operations for four hours, while officials warn of increased respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, particularly threatening newborns. The Norwegian Refugee Council reports 1.65 million Gazans live in tents or makeshift shelters. Hamas blames Israel for restricting entry of construction materials and equipment, while Israel's COGAT agency says it has intensified efforts to improve sanitary conditions ahead of the rains.