Rain increases the suffering of those living in makeshift tents in southern Gaza | Israel-Palestine conflict news

Heavy downpours in Gaza after six weeks of war have brought new worries and challenges to thousands of Palestinians who have lost their homes, those forced to live in makeshift tents and others fleeing south to escape Israeli military bombardment.

The onset of the rainy season and the possibility of flooding have increased fears that the enclave’s damaged sewage system will overflow and spread disease.

“We are very concerned. We have already had an outbreak of diarrheal diseases. We have already recorded more than 30,000 cases when we would normally expect 2,000 cases in the same period,” said Margaret Harris, spokeswoman for the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Norwegian Refugee Council said the start of the rainy season could mark “the most difficult week in Gaza” since the conflict began.

Other aid groups said that trying to meet the daily needs of Palestinians meant they could not plan ahead for possible floods.