Flood distress for Gazans awaiting subsequent stage of peace plan

[ad_1] Lucy Williamson Center East correspondent, Jerusalem

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/48cf/live/9b017dc0-d6bb-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/48cf/live/9b017dc0-d6bb-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/48cf/live/9b017dc0-d6bb-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/48cf/live/9b017dc0-d6bb-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/48cf/live/9b017dc0-d6bb-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/48cf/live/9b017dc0-d6bb-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/48cf/live/9b017dc0-d6bb-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/48cf/live/9b017dc0-d6bb-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Anadolu via Getty Images A child crosses a flooded track in Khan Younis between makeshift tents used by displaced Palestinians" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Anadolu through Getty Photographs Greater than 800,000 Gazans are in danger from flooding, the UN says, as a robust winter storm sweeps by means of the Strip.

The heavy rain has already deluged camps, and led a number of buildings to break down.

A gentle stream of water trickles by means of openings within the tent Ghadir al-Adham shares together with her husband and 6 youngsters in Gaza Metropolis. Her household remains to be displaced after the struggle, and ready for reconstruction to start.

"Right here we're, dwelling a lifetime of humiliation," she advised the BBC. "We wish caravans. We wish our properties rebuilt. We lengthy for concrete to maintain us heat. On daily basis I sit and cry for my youngsters."

Two months into an American-imposed ceasefire, Gaza is caught within the first part of Donald Trump's peace plan - its territory divided between the combatants, its individuals nonetheless displaced and surrounded by rubble.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/9776/live/21741e70-d6b8-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/9776/live/21741e70-d6b8-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9776/live/21741e70-d6b8-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/9776/live/21741e70-d6b8-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/9776/live/21741e70-d6b8-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/9776/live/21741e70-d6b8-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/9776/live/21741e70-d6b8-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9776/live/21741e70-d6b8-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Ghadir al-Adham collects rain from the roof of the family's leaky makeshift shelter" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Ghadir al-Adham is longing to maneuver her youngsters right into a stable house

Sticking level

Plans for brand new properties - and new authorities - lie frozen within the subsequent stage of Donald Trump's peace deal, because the search continues for Israel's final remaining hostage, Ran Gvili.

Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has insisted Hamas should return all Israel's hostages – dwelling and lifeless – earlier than the 2 sides transfer on to the following, harder, stage of the peace deal.

However a number of searches of Gaza's rubble have to date proven no signal of him. Gvili was captured through the 7 October Hamas assaults - a police officer, recovering from a damaged shoulder, who went to defend close by kibbutz Alumim.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/17f4/live/b7dbecb0-d6ba-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/17f4/live/b7dbecb0-d6ba-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/17f4/live/b7dbecb0-d6ba-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/17f4/live/b7dbecb0-d6ba-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/17f4/live/b7dbecb0-d6ba-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/17f4/live/b7dbecb0-d6ba-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/17f4/live/b7dbecb0-d6ba-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/17f4/live/b7dbecb0-d6ba-11f0-869d-bbedf17d59c0.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Handout Ran Gvili in his police officer's uniform - he was 24 at the time of the Hamas attack, on 7 October 2023" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Handout Yellow flags have been hung for Ran Gvili close to his house in southern Israel

His mother and father, Talik and Itzik, had been advised final yr he had not survived.

Their street to their house in Meitar, in southern Israel, is lined with banners paying tribute to him, the yellow flags of remembrance for Israel's hostages fluttering alongside.

"They stole our child, they stole him," his mom Talik advised me.

"They know the place he's," Itzik mentioned. "They simply attempt to cover or maintain him. They're play[ing] with us."

They imagine Hamas desires to maintain their son as an insurance coverage coverage in opposition to future negotiations, after returning all the opposite hostages, each dwelling and lifeless.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/3828/live/a9b8bf00-d6bf-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/3828/live/a9b8bf00-d6bf-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3828/live/a9b8bf00-d6bf-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/3828/live/a9b8bf00-d6bf-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/3828/live/a9b8bf00-d6bf-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/3828/live/a9b8bf00-d6bf-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/3828/live/a9b8bf00-d6bf-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3828/live/a9b8bf00-d6bf-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Talik, who has black hair in a ponytail and wears black-rimmed glasses, poses for a photo with her husband Itzik, who has grey short hair and a beard and wears a silver chain. They both have neutral expressions." class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Itzik Gvili (proper) accuses Hamas of attempting to cover hello

In response, a Hamas official advised the BBC their allegations had been unfaithful, and that Israel was attempting to keep away from implementing the settlement.

However with no signal of Gvili's physique, and strain from Washington rising, his mother and father say they're relying on Israel's leaders to not transfer ahead earlier than their son is discovered.

"Everybody in Israel['s] authorities says to us, 'No, we do not transfer to the second stage till Ran comes again.' That is their promise," Talik mentioned.

Many in Israel imagine it might be politically troublesome for Netanyahu to hold out the following steps within the deal, together with withdrawing Israeli forces additional again in the direction of Gaza's perimeter, if even one hostage remains to be lacking in Gaza.

Time 'operating out'

Each Israel and Hamas face troublesome concessions within the subsequent stage of the deal. For Hamas, it means handing over weapons and energy. For Israel, handing over safety to a world stabilisation drive.

And that is additionally why leaders on either side could also be hesitating, says retired Common Israel Ziv, a former head of Israel's navy Operations Directorate.

"Israel and Hamas are sharing the identical pursuits to not transfer so quick into the second stage," he advised me. "Hamas would not need to lose management, and the Israeli facet for political causes additionally favor to remain in Gaza, as no one desires to clarify to their base that they should withdraw."

He says Trump is the one one who can drive the 2 sides ahead, and that point is operating out.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/2b28/live/a992b3e0-d6d4-11f0-8c06-f5d460985095.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/2b28/live/a992b3e0-d6d4-11f0-8c06-f5d460985095.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2b28/live/a992b3e0-d6d4-11f0-8c06-f5d460985095.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/2b28/live/a992b3e0-d6d4-11f0-8c06-f5d460985095.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2b28/live/a992b3e0-d6d4-11f0-8c06-f5d460985095.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/2b28/live/a992b3e0-d6d4-11f0-8c06-f5d460985095.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/2b28/live/a992b3e0-d6d4-11f0-8c06-f5d460985095.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2b28/live/a992b3e0-d6d4-11f0-8c06-f5d460985095.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="A map of Gaza showing the yellow line, behind which Israeli forces have withdrawn" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> "By ready I believe we would miss the chance as a result of Hamas is reorganising and [its] energy is coming again," he defined. "We've got to take a deep breath and go ahead with that plan, as a result of staying within the state of affairs as it's, it is the worst-case situation."

Disarming Hamas – in a means either side will settle for – is seen as the primary main hurdle. With out that, no international nations are more likely to commit troops to safe the Strip, and no reconstruction is more likely to start in Hamas-controlled areas.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu advised he was sceptical that international nations might full the duty instead of Israel.

"Our buddies in America need to attempt to set up a world drive that may do the job," he mentioned. "We all know that there are specific duties that this drive can do. I do not need to go into element, they cannot do every thing, and perhaps they cannot do the primary factor, however we'll see."

Trump keen to maneuver quick

Gaza is presently divided in two by the so-called yellow line, marking the bounds of Israeli forces beneath the primary stage of the ceasefire deal.

Israel's navy chief of employees lately referred to it as a "new border line", sparking accusations that Israel was signalling an intention to stay there long run.

Key points, together with the way to disarm Hamas, are as a consequence of be mentioned at a gathering between Israel's prime minister and Donald Trump in Florida later this month.

The US president – who has already brokered a ceasefire in Gaza and pushed his peace plan by means of the UN Safety Council – has been outspoken about his need to maneuver the method ahead.

He advised journalists this week that he would announce the membership of a newly created Board of Peace for Gaza early subsequent yr. "Will probably be some of the legendary boards ever… All people desires to be on it," he mentioned.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/f802/live/8937da20-d6bc-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/f802/live/8937da20-d6bc-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f802/live/8937da20-d6bc-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/f802/live/8937da20-d6bc-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/f802/live/8937da20-d6bc-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/f802/live/8937da20-d6bc-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/f802/live/8937da20-d6bc-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f802/live/8937da20-d6bc-11f0-9d57-f5bf64d847f4.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images A woman fixes her tent as children stand inside at a makeshift camp sheltering displaced Palestinians after heavy rains in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City on December 11, 2025" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Getty Photographs The floods make it onerous for Gazans to maintain youngsters dry

There are additionally widespread stories that, beneath strain from Washington, Israel is starting work to clear rubble, in preparation for a brand new non permanent housing venture within the Israeli-held space of Rafah, within the south of the Strip.

The brand new housing might reportedly present shelter for tens of hundreds of Gazans, provided that they're prepared to cross into Israeli-held areas, and undergo checks for any hyperlinks to Hamas.

Some see it as a part of a plan to attract Gazans throughout into Israeli-held areas, with a purpose to isolate Hamas. A small variety of individuals have already crossed into these areas, to camps arrange by armed teams supported by Israel there.

However many Gazans – even those that need to substitute Hamas – say they refuse to reside beneath Israeli management.

It is a glimpse of an alternate future for Gaza, if this second stage of Trump's plan fails; a future the place Gaza, already divided, turns into extra divided nonetheless.