Palestine Weekly: Gaza storm floods shelters as West Bank tensions rise

The latest Palestine Weekly report highlights a dual crisis as Gaza faces a humanitarian catastrophe following a major weekend storm. Within 12 hours, the storm flooded approximately 70,000 tents, resulting in at least five deaths and an estimated $3 million in damages. By Monday, Gaza’s Civil Defence reported over 2,100 distress calls, warning that more than 2,000 buildings are at risk of collapse. Nearly 400,000 displaced individuals are currently sheltering in areas deemed highly vulnerable to such weather events.

Humanitarian aid remains severely restricted. Gaza’s Crossings and Borders Authority noted that no commercial goods or aid trucks were permitted entry on November 6 and 7. Although five trucks of cooking gas entered on November 8, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that shipments from Egypt were suspended following an Israeli notification. Aid groups warn that daily cooked meal distribution could drop from 600,000 to 330,000. Furthermore, Israel has blocked the entry of 60,000 mobile homes, allowing only 20,000 tents into a region where 85 percent of homes have been destroyed or damaged.

Over 2,000 buildings in Gaza risk collapse following severe flooding that displaced thousands of people.

Political deadlock in Israel

Inside Israel, the political landscape remains volatile. President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government after he received recommendations from 67 members of parliament. Eisenkot is pushing for a national emergency government, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advocates for a unity coalition. Meanwhile, Arab-led parties face a complex situation, with the Joint List stating it cannot join an administration that violates international law, and the United Arab List navigating intense pressure regarding its political stances. Tensions spilled into the streets of al-Lyd, where a far-right march led to a brawl and 11 arrests.

West Bank escalation

In the West Bank, land seizures continue to disrupt local communities. On November 4, settlers entered eight Palestinian homes in Ein a-Duyuk a-Tahta near Jericho. While settlers claimed the homes were purchased, local officials described the documents as forgeries. Reports indicate that the military provided support during the takeover, declaring a closed military zone that blocked humanitarian access. This incident is part of a broader pattern of demolitions and land seizures occurring across the territory.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict and humanitarian restrictions directly impact the survival of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians. The blockage of essential infrastructure, such as mobile homes and cooking gas, exacerbates the vulnerability of civilians during the winter season. For the broader region, the political instability in Israel and the escalation of settler activity in the West Bank signal a continued period of volatility that threatens long-term regional security and peace efforts.