Winter Storms Threaten Power and Healthcare Infrastructure in Gaza

As heavy rains intensify across the Gaza Strip, displaced residents and critical infrastructure are facing severe risks. In Deir el-Balah, 65-year-old Abu Sajed, who suffers from diabetes, describes a desperate struggle to protect his makeshift home near the "Yellow Line" in Bureij refugee camp. Flooding destroyed his blood glucose monitor and damaged his family's solar power system, leaving him feeling helpless and exhausted.

The impact of the rainfall extends beyond individual shelters. In northern Gaza, Mohammed al-Hour utilizes a solar power system to charge phones for residents, but persistent cloud cover and leaking walls threaten this vital service. The broader electricity crisis is exacerbated by the destruction of infrastructure; the Abu Zayed Electricity Company has had to temporarily suspend services at several branches due to equipment malfunction and fears of short circuits caused by water ingress.

Aya Shaheen, the company's general manager, noted that despite efforts to insulate wires and cover distribution panels with plastic sheeting, the extensive destruction of infrastructure remains a major obstacle. According to UNICEF, recent rainfall has affected over 106,000 people, with approximately 950,000 displaced persons living in flood-prone areas.

A joint assessment by the World Bank, the United Nations, and the European Union estimates that 80 percent of electricity generation and distribution assets have been rendered inoperable. Energy specialist Mohammed Abu Khaled warns that rainwater frequently damages inverters and batteries in solar systems, with malfunctions increasing by 40 to 50 percent following rains. He notes that replacing an inverter can cost between $200 and $500, a prohibitive cost for many families.

The risks are most critical in the health sector. Many medical facilities now operate from prefabricated structures that offer little protection. Abu Khaled explains that moisture can damage operating-room equipment, portable oxygen generators, and vital-signs monitors. As the winter season continues, the combination of destroyed infrastructure and extreme weather creates an additional, life-threatening burden for Gaza's residents.