UNICEF has reported the death of another child in Gaza, identifying the victim as seven-year-old Ata Mai, who drowned on 27 December during severe flooding in an improvised camp for internally displaced people in Sudaniyeh, northwest of Gaza City. The agency said Ata’s death highlights the extreme risks facing children as winter storms, inadequate shelter and ongoing displacement continue to endanger lives across the territory.
According to UNICEF, Ata went missing one afternoon from a camp housing around 40 tents. Despite search and rescue efforts supported by heavy machinery, his body was recovered several hours later. His siblings, all under the age of 10, had already lost their mother during the war. UNICEF is currently assisting the family with essential supplies such as blankets and tarpaulins, as well as psychosocial support, while assessing their longer-term needs.
UNICEF officials said Ata is one of at least six children who have died in Gaza this month after being exposed to harsh winter conditions. Teams visiting displacement camps reported widespread destruction, with tents blown away or collapsing entirely under heavy rain and strong winds. The lack of safe, durable shelter has left many families, particularly young children, exposed to flooding, freezing temperatures and deteriorating living conditions.
Shelter needs across Gaza remain critical, with more than 1.9 million people displaced and only limited shelter materials entering the enclave. Many families living in worn-out tents or makeshift structures have endured repeated flooding as prolonged rains, high winds and cold weather continue. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned of the dangers posed to malnourished children and other vulnerable people whose shelters are inundated time and again.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed that recent rainstorms have caused flash flooding in low-lying and coastal areas, including sites where displaced families are sheltering in substandard tents. Seawater has again flooded shelters in areas such as Al Mawasi in Khan Younis, rendering many tents uninhabitable and forcing families to move to higher ground after their belongings were soaked.
The situation has been further aggravated by structural damage caused by the conflict and severe weather. Since early December, at least 18 residential buildings have completely collapsed, while more than 110 others have sustained dangerous partial damage, posing immediate risks to thousands of residents. The near-total destruction of housing, water and sewage infrastructure has left families highly vulnerable to the elements.
Despite immense challenges, UNICEF and its partners continue life-saving work on the ground, including installing temporary water pipelines, distributing hygiene items, tarpaulins and blankets, ensuring access to latrines, and clearing sewage and stormwater systems. However, heavy rains have sharply increased fuel needs for sewage pumping and drainage, raising concerns about the capacity to prevent further flooding and contamination.
Humanitarian operations face additional uncertainty as dozens of international aid organizations risk losing authorization to operate in Gaza under a new registration system. UN agencies and partners warn that forced suspensions could lead to the closure of a significant proportion of health facilities and further restrict access to essential services. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned the potential suspension of aid agencies, urging immediate action to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and protect civilians, particularly children, from worsening conditions.
