The Hamas government in Gaza declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and asked all the relevant ministries to support civilians who have been affected by the rains and floods that have hit the area in the past few days.
The heavy rains caused severe damage across the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of houses were filled with water, streets were flooded and the electricity was down for many hours.
Reporting from Gaza, Hamas’ TV station Al-Aq’sa interviewed many civilians, whose homes were ruined as water seeped into the ground floors.
Among the worst hit areas was the Jabalya refugee camp. The municipality appealed for help in bringing pumps to the camp, as many were trapped inside their homes.
Experts at Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights warn that the suction pump in the Abu Rashed water reservoir in Jabalya is in danger of breaking down. If this happens, many citizens’ welfare would be compromised by huge floods.
Meanwhile, the Free Gaza Movement has sent a boat to Gaza, carrying 27 crew and passengers. The boat, which left Larnaka yesterday, arrived in Gaza on Wednesday morning and was welcomed by Gaza citizens on the shore.
The organizers said they arranged the visit in order to protest Israel’s "unjust and illegal policy" toward Gaza.