Four dead as sand embankment collapses onto Gaza tent camp amid heavy rain

A sand barrier collapsed onto a makeshift camp housing displaced families south of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza following intense rainfall on Sunday night. The collapse killed a woman and three children – ages four, six and eight – and injured six other camp residents, according to medics and local authorities.

The incident occurred after a period of torrential rain that had already flooded tens of thousands of tents across the Gaza Strip. Video footage verified by Reuters showed residents using hammers and shovels to break up large sandy rocks and search for survivors with flashlights. Rescue workers reported that three tents were completely covered by the sliding sand and debris, trapping people beneath the rubble.

Background

Gaza’s population of roughly two million people has been living largely in temporary shelters since the end of Israel’s two‑year military assault that began after the 2023 Hamas attacks. Due to ongoing stagnation in rebuilding efforts, the majority of displaced inhabitants are living in temporary tent settlements or the wreckage of destroyed structures. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 26,000 families have reported harm to their homes or property in the wake of the recent weekend storms.

Local authorities noted that at least 70,000 tents were flooded in the first hours of the storm on Saturday. The Civil Defence service, operating under the Hamas‑run interior ministry, said water levels reached up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in some locations and that its responders could attend to only about 10 % of the 2,100 distress calls received.

Witnesses described the collapse as sounding like an explosion, and relatives of the victims expressed the broader frustration of a population that faces death from both bombardment and now from environmental hazards. Amal Al‑Zein, a 35‑year‑old relative of the victims, said that those who survive bombings are now dying from collapsing sand and structures.

Why it matters

The tragedy underscores the acute humanitarian risk faced by Gaza’s displaced population during the rainy winter season. Tents, which provide little protection against heavy rain or shifting sand, have become death traps for many residents. Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza’s civil defence service, warned that tents cannot safeguard people from either rain or heat and called for reconstruction as the only viable solution.

The incident also highlights the limited capacity of emergency services. With only a fraction of distress calls being answered and water levels rising to dangerous heights, many residents remain exposed to further collapses or flooding. The UN and other humanitarian partners have been urged to provide safer shelter options and relocate tents away from unstable sand banks and slopes.

Internationally, the event adds pressure on the stalled reconstruction process. A US‑brokered ceasefire last year called for rebuilding Gaza, but progress has been hampered by unresolved negotiations over Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawals. Israel maintains that reconstruction cannot proceed until Hamas is disarmed, leaving the civilian population in a prolonged state of vulnerability.

What happens next

The Civil Defence service has called for urgent action by international organisations to supply safe shelters and relocate tents from high‑risk areas. It also warned that further heavy rains could trigger additional collapses if tents remain adjacent to unstable sand banks.

Humanitarian agencies are expected to assess the damage to the affected camp and coordinate relief for the injured survivors. The UN’s OCHA has already received numerous appeals for assistance, and the situation is likely to be a focal point in upcoming discussions on humanitarian aid and reconstruction priorities for Gaza.

The incident remains under investigation, with differing initial reports on the number of casualties. The Hamas‑run health ministry later confirmed that four people – one woman and three children – had died, while earlier statements from the Civil Defence service had mentioned two women among the dead. The identities released include Tahrir Nabhan (the woman) and children Mariam Nabhan, her brother Salah, and Habiba al‑Zein.

The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the compounded challenges facing Gaza’s displaced residents, where the legacy of conflict intersects with seasonal weather hazards, and where the lack of permanent housing continues to endanger lives.