Reduced to rubble - Gaza family lives in destroyed house amid sewage leaks, wild animals as winter approaches

"The Abu al-Hassan Harara family lives in the Rimal neighbourhood west of Gaza City, in a home that has been reduced mostly to rubble by the war. On top of the destruction, the family is enduring harsh conditions caused by sewage leaks and the spread of insects and reptiles.  Footage filmed on Thursday shows sewage water leaking through the shattered structure, with debris scattered throughout the site. Abu al-Hassan is seen sitting with his family inside the devastated home.  He described the constant leaks from the ruined upper floors. “Sewage water is falling on me from the upper floors because they were bombed, and I live on the ground floor. The sewage system has been destroyed, so the water is falling on my bed and my belongings,” he said.  Abu al-Hassan also warned of the health risks posed by insects, poisonous reptiles, mosquitoes and flies, in addition to the overwhelming smell. “There are also rats and snakes. The area has been abandoned for two years because of the war, and now reptiles live here. Even at night, we find stray dogs at the door, which terrifies the children,” he added.  As winter approaches, many Gaza residents have been forced to return to damaged homes that remain marginally habitable, particularly after tents were flooded during the first rainstorm to hit the Strip a few days ago.  Some displaced families have resorted to setting up tents on top of their destroyed houses immediately after returning following the end of the war.  According to the United Nations, more than two million Palestinians are now crowded into less than half of the Gaza Strip, while most displaced residents lack adequate shelter to protect them from rain and wind.  UN estimates indicate that 92 percent of all housing units in Gaza have been destroyed.  Israel and Hamas signed a peace agreement that took effect on October 10 as part of the 20-point 'Trump Plan'. The deal includes an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages—alive and deceased—and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. "