The start of the rainy season and the possibility of flooding increased fears that the densely populated enclave's sewage system will be overwhelmed and disease will spread. At a U.N. shelter in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, the rain brought dismay for displaced people who woke to find the clothes they put out to dry the night had been drenched by rain. It voiced concern on Tuesday about the prospect of rain causing flooding and overwhelming already meagre and damaged sewage facilities. Ahmed Bayram, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Refugee Council, said the start of the rainy season could mark "the most difficult week in Gaza since the (military) escalation began." Touma said just a small amount of rain could cause the streets of Gaza to flood, given the sewage system's inability to absorb water.

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Persons: Khan Younis, Fayeza Srour, Karim Mreish, We've, Margaret Harris, Ahmed Bayram, Israel, Juliette Touma, We're, Touma, Cross, William Schomburg, Emma Farge, Mai Shams El, Timothy Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, Norwegian Refugee Council, Communications, International Committee, ICRC, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Gaza, GAZA, GENEVA, Israel, Geneva, Palestinian, Gazans