DaysofPal – At least four Palestinians, including two women and a child, were killed on Monday evening after a wedding hall being used as a shelter for displaced families collapsed in western Gaza City due to powerful winds and heavy rain.
Local sources reported that the victims included 15-year-old Reemas Bilal Hamouda, 42-year-old Duaa Mansour Hamouda, and 72-year-old elderly man Mohammed Al-Abd Hamouda. Several others were injured when part of the damaged “Organza” wedding hall near the Chalets area gave way. The building had previously sustained damage from Israeli airstrikes and collapsed under the force of the storm.
In a different incident, Wafaa Shreir, 33, was killed when a wall of her house, which had also been damaged by Israeli bombardment, collapsed close to Al-Thawra Street in western Gaza City as the extreme weather worsened.
There have been six child deaths since the beginning of winter, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which also reported that two children had perished from severe cold. Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal warned of catastrophic consequences as a polar low-pressure system is expected to intensify starting Tuesday, placing around 1.5 million Palestinians at serious risk.
Basal confirmed that three deaths have already been recorded due to partial collapses of unsafe buildings during the ongoing storm. He stressed that the situation is extremely dangerous, noting that damaged structures can no longer be considered safe shelters amid relentless rain and strong winds.
The Civil Defense also issued an urgent appeal to international organizations and the global community to act immediately to provide protection and emergency support for affected civilians.
Earlier on Monday evening, several Palestinians were injured when another residential building, damaged in a previous Israeli strike, collapsed in the Beach Camp west of Gaza City.
The collapse was caused by strong winds associated with the storm. The injured were transferred to hospitals for treatment, though no immediate details were available regarding the severity of their injuries.
Gaza has witnessed repeated incidents of building collapses during recent weather systems, as homes and residential structures weakened by Israeli bombardment continue to deteriorate under heavy rainfall and fierce winds.
In a related development, the death toll from Israel’s military offensive on the Gaza Strip has risen to 71,412 killed and 171,314 injured since October 7, 2023. Many victims remain trapped under rubble or lie in the streets.
Since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, at least 442 Palestinians have been killed, with 1,236 others injured. Authorities have also recovered 688 bodies during this period.
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