In a heartbreaking incident reported by the Hamas-run health ministry, a sand embankment collapse in central Gaza has claimed the lives of three children and one woman. The tragic event took place on Sunday night at a camp for displaced families south of Deir al-Balah, following heavy rain that has been causing floods across Gaza since Saturday. Rescuers, using their bare hands to dig through the rubble, were able to rescue five injured individuals from beneath the collapsed tents and boulders. The Civil Defence service, which operates under the Hamas-run interior ministry, called for urgent action by international organizations to provide safe shelters for displaced people, stressing that the tents should be moved away from sandy areas, slopes, and locations prone to collapse. With thousands of tents flooded across Gaza, many Palestinians have been left without a dry place to sleep, and the Civil Defence has reported receiving over 2,100 distress calls but being able to respond to only 10%. The incident highlights the urgent need for improved living conditions for displaced families in Gaza, which is home to 2.1 million people confined to only 30% of its total area. The International Organization for Migration and UN agencies are working to provide adequate tents, tarpaulins, and improved drainage systems in camps to help the population survive the winter, but they warn that current aid is insufficient to meet demands. The Israeli military has been restricting the entry of equipment that could potentially be used by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups for military purposes. The Gaza Strip has seen extensive destruction during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with over 80% of structures destroyed or damaged, and more than 1.2 million people currently living in tents or makeshift shelters. The UN has warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire despite a ceasefire agreement in October 2025, as Israeli air strikes and other attacks continue to cause casualties and property damage, driving further displacement.