Since the start of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip on 7 October, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have destroyed roughly 70% of the municipality’s medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
In media statements, Gaza City’s mayor Yahya Al-Sarraj said that the IOF had purposefully destroyed over 90 of the 130 of the municipality’s medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, despite the severe scarcity of these vehicles in the area.
“The conditions in the Gaza Strip and Gaza City in particular are very difficult,” he said, urging the etry of trucks intended to clear debris, clear the streets, and supply residents with water and sanitary facilities.
All municipal buildings in Gaza as well as the administrative offices where staff members work, were affected by the Israeli aggression, with the majority of them being destroyed, Al-Sarraj continued.
He explained that the major suffering is the lack of fuel, since not a single liter of fuel has arrived since 1st November.
“As of right now, we are unable to supply the necessary amount of water to the citizens, and the water that does exist in the city is sufficient.”
Al-Sarraj pointed out that “many tons of garbage have accumulated in the city, before being burned, causing toxic gases that affect the health of citizens.”
He cited the numerous roads that have enormous piles of rubble that make it difficult for locals, ambulances, and rescue and emergency personnel to get to them.
“Currently we receive multiple complaints daily, and we are unable to meet the citizens’ needs for water, sanitation, or even hygiene services.”
Due to the infrastructure destruction in Gaza City, sewage water was overflowing in the streets, schools, shelter centres, and some hospitals, Al-Sarraj added.
Since 7 October, the Israeli occupation army launched a bloody aggression on the Gaza Strip, causing a severe humanitarian and health catastrophe.
The Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law as it exposes civilians’ lives to extreme danger, which requires an immediate international intervention.
