Gaza Braces for Catastrophic Flooding As Hamas Refuses to Release Last Israeli Hostage

A powerful winter storm named Byron, which has already caused widespread flooding and infrastructure damage in Greece and Cyprus, is barreling toward the Gaza Strip and Israel, with authorities issuing urgent warnings of severe flash floods, tent collapses, and heightened humanitarian risks for displaced Palestinians living in shelters.

Gaza's Government Media Office (i.e. Hamas) described the incoming system as a "climate disaster" that could inundate displacement camps, sweep away belongings, and expose families to drowning and hypothermia, exacerbating the ongoing crisis Hamas caused by invading Israel on October 7th and massacring, raping and pillaging for the "fun" of it.

Storm Forecast and Timeline

The Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) forecasts Byron to make landfall in the region starting tomorrow, Wednesday morning, December 10, with peak intensity late Wednesday into Thursday, December 11, before tapering off by Friday.

Expected impacts include:

Heavy Rainfall: 10-20 centimeters (4-8 inches) across Gaza and coastal Israel, with some areas potentially seeing up to 200 mm in short bursts—far exceeding December averages.

Strong Winds: Gusts up to 80-100 km/h (50-62 mph)

Flooding Risks: Urban flooding in coastal lowlands, flash floods in desert wadis (including near the Dead Sea), and localized inundation along Gaza's Mediterranean shoreline.

IMS Director Amir Givati emphasized that while Tel Aviv won't be "underwater," Gaza's destroyed drainage systems and tent cities amplify the dangers.

Byron has already battered Greece with up to 251 mm of rain in 24 hours, the highest since 2008, causing road collapses, evacuations, and hangar flooding at a military airbase, with no reported fatalities but significant property damage. In Cyprus, it spawned a waterspout and heavy hail.

Recent November rains already flooded thousands of sites, damaging field hospitals, and soaking mattresses up to 50 cm deep. To make matters worse, UN agencies warn of disease outbreaks from sewage-mixed floodwater and hypothermia risks for children, with nighttime temperatures dropping below 10°C (50°F). UN partners have distributed 8,800 blankets, 300 tents, and sandbags to 41 sites since early December, but claim that access remains limited by damaged roads.

Meanwhile, Gaza's Civil Defense urged families to reinforce tents with sandbags and avoid low-lying areas.

For those who are unaware, Gaza's Civil Defense refers to Hamas, who could easily have returned all the Israeli hostages two months ago, clearing the path towards Phase II of the ceasefire. But of course, the goal of destroying Israel is the only important thing, and the lives of Palestinians are not all that important at all.

Broader Regional Preparations

In Israel, emergency services like Magen David Adom (MDA) and the Nature and Parks Authority are on high alert, clearing drains, deploying rescue teams, and warning against travel to flood-prone zones like the Judean Desert.

Schools may close, and power outages are possible.