DaysofPal- Amnesty International said on Thursday that deaths caused by recent flooding in the Gaza Strip were “entirely preventable” and cannot be attributed to severe weather alone, placing responsibility on “Israel” for the scale of destruction.
In a report released amid the aftermath of a powerful winter storm, the rights group said at least 12 people, including a newborn baby, were killed during days of heavy rain that swept the besieged territory.
Amnesty stressed that the tragedy was not a natural disaster but the result of longstanding policies that left Gaza’s population dangerously exposed.
“The warnings were clear; this was not an accident but a tragedy that could have been completely avoided,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy and Policy.
“The horrific scenes of flooded tents and collapsing buildings in Gaza cannot be blamed on bad weather alone.” She said.
Amnesty said the destruction caused by torrential rains “could have been entirely prevented” and was significantly worsened by ongoing Israeli restrictions on the entry of vital supplies needed to repair and maintain basic infrastructure.
The organization argued that limits on shelter materials, repair equipment, and humanitarian aid have left displaced families without adequate protection.
“What we are witnessing is the foreseeable outcome of Israel’s genocidal acts and its deliberate siege policy, which blocks the entry of shelter and repair materials for displaced people,” Guevara Rosas added.
The organization called on the Israeli occupation to immediately lift the Israeli cruel blockade on Gaza and allow unrestricted entry of essential goods, repair materials, and humanitarian supplies.
Continuous rainfall in recent days flooded displacement camps and led to the collapse of buildings already weakened by nearly two years of war.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported that at least 12 people were killed on December 16 alone, including a two-week-old infant who died from hypothermia as a result of the harsh weather conditions.
Amnesty reiterated that international law obliges the Israeli occupation, as the occupying power, to ensure the protection of civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance, warning that failure to do so continues to cost lives in Gaza.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=70466
