The Gaza Strip is currently suffering from a severe water crisis which poses serious humanitarian and health risks to its residents. This crisis is a direct result of restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation which include disruption of essential supplies such as electricity and fuel, which has led to the collapse of vital infrastructure, particularly in the water and sanitation sectors.
Since the occupation cut off fuel and electricity supplies to the Strip, many desalination plants and essential facilities have ceased operations.
Nearly 85% of water and sanitation facilities became inoperative due to ongoing bombings of the infrastructure. Children are the most affected, with reports indicating that many are suffering from skin conditions due to the lack of access to safe water.
Over two million people in Gaza are suffering from an acute shortage of clean water, forcing them to rely on unreliable water sources, further increasing the spread of disease. These include the spread of skin diseases such as scabies and intestinal infections like diarrhoea and jaundice, which spread rapidly under poor sanitary conditions.
Despite international efforts to provide medical and humanitarian aid, the ongoing blockade continues to prevent the entry of fuel and essential equipment needed to repair damaged water supplies.
Experts warn that Gaza’s water system could completely collapse if fuel shortages persist, leading to a total cut-off of drinking water in the Strip.
The water crisis in Gaza is becoming worse each, and the international community must take responsibility by pressuring the occupation to lift the blockade, allow the entry of essential humanitarian aid, ensure immediate access to clean water, and repair water and sanitation infrastructure, in order to secure the most basic human rights for Gaza’s civilian population.
