55,000 Palestinian families in Gaza impacted by recent rains, says UN Around 55,000 families across the Gaza Strip have been impacted by heavy rains, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha). Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said Ocha estimates that the families have seen their properties and shelters damaged or destroyed by recent storms that have worsened the humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory. The storms have also affected child protection activities by damaging infant-friendly spaces across the Strip. Dozens of Palestinians have died due to a combination of severe weather conditions and the humanitarian plight caused by Israeli restrictions, with buildings collapsing and tents flooding.