Gaza: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated on Monday that approximately 235,000 people in the Gaza Strip were impacted by Storm Byron, which led to the collapse of buildings and damage to tents between December 10-17.

According to Qatar News Agency, UNRWA highlighted in a post on its official X account that months of war and displacement have forced residents of Gaza to live amidst unstable rubble, temporary shelters, or worn-out tents. The agency described Storm Byron, which hit the Gaza Strip on December 10, as "a natural disaster, but its consequences were man-made," pointing to the exacerbated damage due to widespread destruction and the lack of safe shelters following ongoing conflicts.

UNRWA reported that at least 17 buildings collapsed, and more than 42,000 tents or temporary shelters were completely or partially damaged, affecting at least 235,000 people. This information was corroborated by the Gaza Shelter Cluster, which comprises UN agencies and NGOs.

Since severe weather systems began affecting Gaza earlier this month, 18 people, including four children, have died. Additionally, nearly 90 percent of the shelters housing displaced individuals whose homes were destroyed have been flooded.