Sand collapses onto Gaza tents, killing five, including three children

A mound of sand collapsed onto displaced families’ tents south of Deir al-Balah. Palestinian Civil Defence called for safe shelter for the families.

General News

Mirat Haber

09/11/2026 02:48

A⁺

A^-

A mound of sand collapsed onto tents housing displaced Palestinians south of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. Three children and two women were killed, according to a Palestinian Civil Defence Directorate statement reported by İhlas News Agency. Following the incident, which occurred during a period of heavy rain, the directorate called for safe shelter for the families.

Key facts about the incident

Many people were trapped beneath the sand when it collapsed.
Local residents helped with the rescue effort.
A power outage and equipment shortages hampered the response.
Civil Defence called for tents to be moved away from sandy areas and slopes at risk of collapse.

Rescuers used hand tools to reach those trapped

According to local sources cited in the report, Civil Defence teams used hand tools, with help from residents, to reach people buried beneath the sand. Officials said a power outage, along with shortages of rescue equipment and resources, made the response more difficult.

The incident occurred in tents sheltering Palestinians who had been forced to leave their homes because of heavy Israeli bombardment. The Civil Defence Directorate stressed that thousands of families living in areas without safety and protection measures faced similar dangers.

What warnings were issued to families living in tents?

The Palestinian Civil Defence Directorate warned families not to pitch tents or stay near mounds of sand and high banks of earth, particularly during rainy weather. It called for displaced families’ tents to be moved away from sandy areas, slopes and places at risk of collapse. The appeal directly concerns families sheltering in tents in these areas.

The directorate also called on international organisations and the relevant authorities to intervene urgently. Its central request was for safe shelter to be provided for displaced families. Alongside its advice to families on where to place their tents, it reminded institutions of their responsibility to establish safe shelter conditions.

Heavy rain and wind also affected tents

The collapse occurred during a period of heavy rain and strong winds brought by a low-pressure system over the Gaza Strip. The severe weather flooded tents housing tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians and caused property damage.