The Peace Council in Gaza issued a statement on November 9, 2026, expressing concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region. Flash floods have submerged tens of thousands of tents housing displaced persons, leaving them exposed to harsh winter conditions and inadequate living circumstances. The council described the situation as a pressing humanitarian emergency requiring immediate intervention to save civilian lives.
According to the Peace Council, the floods have resulted from a low-pressure system that brought heavy rain and strong winds to the coastal area on the night of Friday, November 6. The government of Gaza reported that 70,000 tents were inundated, exacerbating the already precarious living conditions for displaced persons. The council urged the Israeli government to promptly allow the entry of emergency supplies, including temporary shelter materials, sanitation equipment, and waste management tools.
The Peace Council also appealed to the international community, including the United Nations and donor countries, to coordinate efforts to mobilize funding and emergency supplies. They stressed the need for swift action to support the displaced population and establish effective administrative institutions under the umbrella of the National Committee for Gaza Management. The council emphasized that all parties must translate their commitments into tangible, measurable steps on the ground.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has sparked reactions from various quarters. Palestinian Foreign Minister Farisine Shahin accused the Peace Council of ineffectiveness in transitioning from the first phase to the second phase of the Gaza peace plan. Shahin warned that the ongoing crisis in Gaza could have far-reaching consequences, potentially lasting for years. She also highlighted the escalating humanitarian disaster in Gaza as winter approaches.
Minister Shahin revealed that her ministry is engaging with governments and parliaments worldwide to secure aid and essential supplies for Gaza's population. She expressed optimism that some countries have shown willingness to assist in the relief efforts. However, Shahin stressed the need for the international community to pressure the Israeli government to comply with its international law obligations, emphasizing that the lives of two million people should not be jeopardized by delays in response.
The situation on the ground remains dire, with reports of a collapsed sandy cliff in the city of Deir al-Balah, resulting in the deaths of five people, including three children and one woman. The incident occurred on the night of the low-pressure system, highlighting the vulnerability of displaced persons to natural disasters and the need for urgent humanitarian assistance.
The Peace Council's warnings and Minister Shahin's appeals underscore the urgent need for a coordinated international response to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. All parties involved are being urged to take immediate and concrete actions to alleviate the suffering of the displaced population and prevent further deterioration of the situation.
Key points
- The Peace Council has warned of a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to flash floods that have inundated tens of thousands of displaced persons' tents.
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza has sparked reactions from various quarters, including Palestinian Foreign Minister Farisine Shahin, who accused the Peace Council of ineffectiveness.
- The international community is being urged to pressure the Israeli government to comply with its international law obligations and provide urgent humanitarian assistance to Gaza's population.
