Fresh winter rain floods streets in war-hit Palestinian territory

The rain has flooded tents and makeshift shelters in Gaza, where most of the buildings have been destroyed or damaged by two years of war between Israel and Hamas

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Some pushed cars through the Gaza Strip's flooded streets, while others took to donkey-pulled carts to wade through the floodwaters after fresh winter rain lashed the war-battered Palestinian territory.

The rain has flooded tents and makeshift shelters in Gaza, where most of the buildings have been destroyed or damaged by two years of war between Israel and Hamas.

The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said a two-week-old baby named Muhammad Khalil Abu Al Khair died because of severe hypothermia caused by extreme cold.

The ministry said the baby had been admitted to a hospital two days ago and placed in intensive care, but died on Monday.

Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that took effect in October has partially eased restrictions on goods and aid, the United Nations says not enough is entering Gaza where people's needs are great.

The UN said on Monday that an estimated 1.3 million people currently need shelter assistance in Gaza and warned of the increasing risk of hypothermia.

It said babies were in particularly “high danger” from the winter conditions.