Adil Al-Shalchi

Thunderstorms flooded hundreds of tents in Gaza, leaving thousands of already displaced Palestinians homeless and cold.

Buildings have collapsed, killing several families, while at least two babies died of hypothermia, according to local health officials.

Mahmoud Basal is the spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defense.

He says the tents are just not strong enough.

He says there's an urgent need for caravans rather than tents and that the reconstruction of Gaza needs to begin immediately.

Humanitarian groups say the Israeli government is obstructing their work as it restricts aid into Gaza.

Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

So the leader of HTS, which is short for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is Ahmed al-Shar'a, formerly known by his nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Jolani. And at least publicly, he's been making all the right noises. This week, he said that all rebel factions that helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad will be disbanded and absorbed into the Ministry of Defense and that everyone will be subject to the rule of law.

So the leader of HTS, which is short for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is Ahmed al-Shar'a, formerly known by his nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Jolani. And at least publicly, he's been making all the right noises. This week, he said that all rebel factions that helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad will be disbanded and absorbed into the Ministry of Defense and that everyone will be subject to the rule of law.

So the leader of HTS, which is short for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is Ahmed al-Shar'a, formerly known by his nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Jolani. And at least publicly, he's been making all the right noises. This week, he said that all rebel factions that helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad will be disbanded and absorbed into the Ministry of Defense and that everyone will be subject to the rule of law.

He said it's time to move on from war to civilian life. He's even stopped wearing his fatigues. But Syria is a very diverse country, so HTS needs to find a way to reunite it. And so many cities have been destroyed in the war, so rebuilding the infrastructure is going to be something they'll need to tackle. And then HTS has roots in al-Qaeda.

He said it's time to move on from war to civilian life. He's even stopped wearing his fatigues. But Syria is a very diverse country, so HTS needs to find a way to reunite it. And so many cities have been destroyed in the war, so rebuilding the infrastructure is going to be something they'll need to tackle. And then HTS has roots in al-Qaeda.

He said it's time to move on from war to civilian life. He's even stopped wearing his fatigues. But Syria is a very diverse country, so HTS needs to find a way to reunite it. And so many cities have been destroyed in the war, so rebuilding the infrastructure is going to be something they'll need to tackle. And then HTS has roots in al-Qaeda.

It has told Syrians it won't turn the country into another Afghanistan. But a lot of Syrians are worried, will they end up imposing a very stringent form of Islamic rule that will upend their lives?

It has told Syrians it won't turn the country into another Afghanistan. But a lot of Syrians are worried, will they end up imposing a very stringent form of Islamic rule that will upend their lives?

It has told Syrians it won't turn the country into another Afghanistan. But a lot of Syrians are worried, will they end up imposing a very stringent form of Islamic rule that will upend their lives?

Sure. So HDS has been using former Assad regime bureaucrats to get things up and running. They have to. These rebels just don't have the expertise needed to run a country. So students did go back to school this week. ATMs are working again. And even the first domestic flight took off from Damascus International Airport.

Sure. So HDS has been using former Assad regime bureaucrats to get things up and running. They have to. These rebels just don't have the expertise needed to run a country. So students did go back to school this week. ATMs are working again. And even the first domestic flight took off from Damascus International Airport.

Sure. So HDS has been using former Assad regime bureaucrats to get things up and running. They have to. These rebels just don't have the expertise needed to run a country. So students did go back to school this week. ATMs are working again. And even the first domestic flight took off from Damascus International Airport.