International

Cold, Floods Kill 16 in Gaza as Winter Storm Batters Displaced Families

Published

1 month ago

December 13, 2025

Cold, Floods Kill 16 in Gaza as Winter Storm Batters Displaced Families

At least 16 people have died in Gaza over the past 24 hours, including three children who succumbed to extreme cold, as a powerful winter storm unleashed heavy rain and strong winds across the Gaza Strip, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Gaza’s civil defense agency said the fatalities were linked to exposure to cold, collapsing buildings and flooded shelters, as Storm Byron battered the territory from late Wednesday. The storm flooded tents and makeshift shelters, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are taking refuge after more than two years of war.

The agency confirmed that three children died from exposure to cold — two in Gaza City and one in Khan Yunis. Al-Shifa Hospital identified the victims as nine-year-old Hadeel Al-Masri and infant Taim Al-Khawaja, while Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis reported the death of eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Jazar in the Al-Mawasi displacement camp.

Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said six people were killed when a house collapsed in the Bir Al-Naja area of northern Gaza, while two bodies were recovered from rubble in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City. He added that five others died in separate incidents caused by collapsing walls.

According to the agency, emergency teams responded to distress calls from 13 houses that collapsed due to heavy rain and strong winds, mostly in Gaza City and northern Gaza.

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Across central areas such as Nuseirat and Deir el-Balah, families struggled to bail water from their tents as children waded barefoot through muddy floodwaters. Many residents reported sleeping in soaked bedding, with no dry clothes or adequate blankets to protect them from the cold.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that night-time temperatures could fall to 8–9°C, exposing children to severe health risks. UNICEF spokesman Jonathan Crickx described the situation as “extremely dangerous”, citing poor sanitation, flooded camps and open sewage, which could trigger waterborne diseases and respiratory infections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also warned that thousands of families are sheltering in low-lying and debris-filled areas without drainage, cautioning that winter conditions and inadequate sanitation could fuel a surge in acute respiratory illnesses.

Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has eased some restrictions on aid deliveries since October, the United Nations says humanitarian supplies remain insufficient, leaving Gaza’s displaced population highly vulnerable as winter conditions intensify.

Cold, Floods Kill 16 in Gaza as Winter Storm Batters Displaced Families

ARAB NEWS

International

Saudi Arabia Backs Next Phase of Gaza Peace Plan, Supports Trump’s Board of Peace

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Saudi ministers welcome next phase of Gaza plan, Trump’s Board of Peace

Saudi Arabia Backs Next Phase of Gaza Peace Plan, Supports Trump’s Board of Peace

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has officially welcomed the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, including the formation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace”, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and political stability in the war‑torn Gaza Strip.

At a Cabinet session chaired by King Salman, Saudi ministers reaffirmed support for the plan’s second phase, which calls for Palestinian governance in Gaza, coordinated reconstruction efforts, and the return of the Palestinian Authority. The government also reiterated its commitment to the two‑state solution and urged international collaboration for lasting peace.

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The announcement follows broader diplomatic developments: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted an invitation to join the board, while the UAE also expressed readiness to participate. The board aims to coordinate regional and international efforts to stabilize Gaza and facilitate post-conflict recovery.

While Saudi Arabia and some regional allies have embraced the initiative, other nations, including France, have expressed caution, questioning the board’s mandate relative to the United Nations’ role in mediating peace. Despite these differing reactions, Riyadh’s endorsement signals a push for structured diplomacy and practical support for Palestinian civilians amid ongoing conflict.

The Saudi position highlights its effort to balance regional stability, humanitarian concerns, and long-term advocacy for Palestinian sovereignty, aligning with the Arab Peace Initiative and broader international law.

Saudi Arabia Backs Next Phase of Gaza Peace Plan, Supports Trump’s Board of Peace

International

Israeli Authorities Demolish UN Compound in Occupied East Jerusalem

Published

20 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Israeli Authorities Demolish UN Compound in Occupied East Jerusalem

Israeli Authorities Demolish UN Compound in Occupied East Jerusalem

Israeli authorities have demolished buildings inside a United Nations compound in occupied East Jerusalem, escalating tensions with the UN and drawing sharp condemnation from the international community.

The demolition targeted facilities belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah area. According to UN officials, Israeli forces entered the compound with heavy machinery and razed several structures used for humanitarian and operational purposes, despite the site’s UN-protected status.

The United Nations described the action as a violation of international law, stressing that UN premises are inviolable and protected under international conventions. UNRWA warned that the demolition would severely disrupt humanitarian operations serving Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem and beyond.

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Israeli officials defended the move, citing domestic legislation and claiming the agency’s presence was unlawful. However, the justification has been rejected by the UN, which maintains that East Jerusalem is occupied territory and that Israel is bound by international obligations.

The demolition comes amid a wider crackdown on UNRWA activities following recent Israeli laws restricting the agency’s operations. It also coincides with heightened tensions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, including settlement expansion, home demolitions, and repeated clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians.

Several countries, including Jordan and other Arab states, condemned the demolition, warning that it undermines humanitarian work and further destabilises an already volatile region. Human rights groups have also called for international accountability, urging global bodies to intervene to protect UN facilities and civilian aid operations.

Diplomats say the incident is likely to deepen strains between Israel and the UN, with the issue expected to feature prominently in upcoming UN Security Council discussions.

Israeli Authorities Demolish UN Compound in Occupied East Jerusalem

International

Greenland Dispute: Trump Insists Tariffs Will Happen as EU Pushes Back

Published

21 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump

Greenland Dispute: Trump Insists Tariffs Will Happen as EU Pushes Back

US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Europe after declaring he will “100%” carry out his threat to impose tariffs linked to Greenland, warning that the United States will not back down despite growing resistance from the European Union (EU).

Speaking amid renewed debate over Greenland’s strategic importance, Trump insisted that punitive US tariffs on European goods would be enforced if Washington’s demands are ignored. The remarks have triggered sharp reactions across Europe, with EU leaders vowing to protect their economic and political interests and reject any form of pressure over the Arctic territory.

The EU Commission said the bloc remains united, stressing that Greenland’s status and sovereignty are non-negotiable and must be determined by its people in line with international law. European officials also warned that the EU has the tools to respond if the US follows through with trade penalties.

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The standoff has heightened fears of a wider US–EU trade dispute, with analysts warning that fresh tariffs could disrupt global markets, strain transatlantic relations and impact key sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and energy.

The Greenland dispute comes as geopolitical competition intensifies in the Arctic region, driven by climate change, access to natural resources and security concerns. European leaders have called for dialogue to prevent escalation, even as they prepare potential countermeasures to safeguard EU economies.

With Trump standing firm and Europe closing ranks, observers say the coming weeks could define the future of US–EU relations, particularly as both sides weigh diplomacy against the risk of a full-blown trade confrontation.