Storm Daniel hits Gaza Strip, flooding several homes

Storm Daniel, a deadly storm that has so far wreaked havoc on Libya and the North African region, has also hit the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, 13 September, causing flooding in several houses and streets in the northern areas of the besieged coastal enclave. 

For more than seven hours, the Strip was battered by heavy rainfall and thunder. 

Residents of the area posted several videos on social media accounts, many of which depict homes flooded by the rainfall. 

The Hamas-run Civil Defence said that its teams dealt with more than 17 missions, adding, "At least 13 houses were partially flooded by the rainfall, which forced their residents to be displaced from them." 

Thousands of people in Libya have lost their lives and many more are missing after catastrophic floods caused by Storm Daniel last Sunday.

This was Libya's worst natural disaster for 40 years and the surprise storm has raised inevitable questions about the role of climate change.

As the floodwaters surged, two dams collapsed, sending torrents toward the city of Derna, with devastating results. One-quarter of the city was destroyed and multiple other cities in northeastern Libya were also hit.

Since the incident, locals in Gaza have been also sharing condolences and support with Libya vua thousands of short videos were posted on various media platforms. 

Mohammed Ahmed, a Gaza-based resident expressed his warm condolences to the Libyan people, saying, "I have never imagined witnessing such disaster in Libya."

Speaking to The New Arab, the 39-year-old father of six, said, "I am really shocked by the destruction in Libya and the large number of the victims who lost their lives and those who lost their houses. It's true we live in a blockaded area, the man says, but all of us (Palestinians) are ready to go to Libya and help in rescuing the casualties." 

Hala al-Naqa, a woman based in Gaza, also shared her condolences to both Libya and Morocco, the latter suffering from a devastating earthquake last week with hundreds killed and thousands still missing. 

"I think it is a message from Godto all Arab leaders and presidents that they cannot keep ruling as long as the nature would tell its own word," the 46-year-old mother of six remarked to TNA. 

"It is better for the Arab leaders to improve their science staff for their countries rather than be involved in internal conflicts that would increase the population suffering," she added.