Flood/storm in Gaza

A winter storm, Alexa, has caused days of snow and heavy rain in the Middle East since 12 December, and in Gaza the storm resulted in flooding that has forced the evacuation of over 5000 people.

It is reportedly the worst storm to strike the Middle East in over sixty years and many homes in Gaza were ill-equipped to cope with the almost unprecedented weather. In Jabaliya, the floodwaters reached as high as 2 metres in some areas.

The northern part of Gaza has been declared a disaster area by United Nations officials.

Thousands of homes have been inundated or left without power, and the thousands of evacuees' have been moved to emergency shelters and schools until the floodwaters recede.