Gaza authorities slam global ‘inaction’ after mudslide kills five people | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Landslide in Gaza Claims Lives of Five Displaced Individuals
Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip — Four children and a woman were killed on Sunday when a sandbank collapsed onto their tent, following heavy rains that engulfed the central Gaza Strip. The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by displaced individuals in the region.
Palestinian authorities have condemned global “indifference and inaction” in the aftermath of the tragedy. In a statement issued by the Gaza Government Media Office, officials described the scene as one that “should shame the conscience of humanity,” attributing the disaster to the neglect that the Palestinian people endure.
The landslide occurred after a severe winter storm, which began on Friday, caused widespread flooding. With water inundating displacement camps and further damaging structures already compromised by Israeli air raids, the precarious living conditions for many residents have been exacerbated.
According to reports from Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, the victims were residing in makeshift tents on exposed ground without adequate protection from the elements. “When the embankment collapsed, those people had no chance to escape or protect themselves,” he noted, underscoring the dire circumstances faced by many in the area.
In total, approximately 70,000 tents were flooded as a result of the storm, further complicating an already critical situation. Save the Children estimates that more than half a million children in Gaza are living in “critical or catastrophic” shelter conditions.
The organization stated that despite a ceasefire agreement announced over a year ago, which included provisions for more durable housing, Israeli authorities have repeatedly blocked the entry of necessary supplies, including caravans that could provide safer shelter.
The Gaza Government Media Office placed responsibility for the tragedy on Israel, the United States, and the international community, calling attention to their “absolute silence regarding the occupation’s crimes” and the obstruction of humanitarian aid. The statement criticized the lack of action by local leadership, questioning the efficacy of governance in light of the ongoing suffering.
Since the escalation of conflict on October 7, 2023, over 74,600 people have reportedly lost their lives, with continued violence resulting in the deaths of more than 1,600 Palestinians since a ceasefire took effect in October 2025.
