UN says Israel's flood response in Gaza falls short as aid blocked

The UN said Monday it agrees with the Peace Council's assessment that Israel's response to the flood emergency in Gaza is insufficient, urging Tel Aviv to allow more shelter materials and equipment into the enclave. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed this position, noting more temporary housing could be delivered but requires Israeli authorization at checkpoints. Weekend heavy rains flooded displacement camps and damaged thousands of tents. The UN reported a drowned infant and the deaths of three children and at least one woman after a sand dune collapsed on their tents. Over 26,000 households reported damage, while more than 150,000 tents remain outside Gaza awaiting delivery. UN teams are pumping floodwaters and distributing emergency supplies but lack sufficient equipment for the crisis scale. The Peace Council urged Israel to allow winter preparation supplies, while also calling on Hamas to disarm. Haq reported continued strikes in populated areas and said UN staff took cover Saturday when gunfire hit near a displacement site in Gaza City, with no injuries reported.