Storms flood tents in Gaza as Israel steps up bombardment

Heavy rains flooded tent encampments of displaced Palestinians across Gaza, adding seasonal winter misery to communities already devastated by 13 months of war, as Israeli forces stepped up strikes in the enclave.

Downpours overnight inundated tents and in some places washed away the plastic and cloth shelters used by displaced Gazans, most of whom have been uprooted several times as a result of Israel's war in Gaza.

Some placed water buckets on the ground to protect mats from leaks and dug trenches to drain water away from their tents.