Hundreds of thousands of Gaza City residents are facing a severe water crisis after Israel’s water supplies were cut during the ongoing conflict. The pipeline operated by Israel’s water utility, Mekorot, was damaged during the Israeli army’s offensive in Gaza City, leaving many residents without access to clean water. The situation is particularly dire in the eastern Shejaia neighborhood, where residents must walk long distances to get water from alternative sources.
Israel’s military has acknowledged the malfunction of the pipeline and stated that efforts are being made to repair it. However, many residents are struggling to meet their daily water needs, leading to a growing thirst crisis in Gaza City. The destruction of most wells in the city during the war has further exacerbated the situation.
Internally displaced Palestinians are forced to rely on limited water sources, with many queuing for hours to get a small fill. The Gaza Strip’s only natural source of water, the Coastal Aquifer Basin, is severely depleted and contaminated, making much of the water unfit for human consumption. Desalination plants have stopped operations due to power and fuel cuts, further restricting access to clean water.
The Palestinian Water Authority has reported that more than 85% of water and sanitation facilities in Gaza are out of service, resulting in dangerously low water supply rates. The lack of clean water poses a significant health risk to residents, with many struggling to access the minimum amount of water needed for survival according to World Health Organization standards. The ongoing water crisis in Gaza City highlights the urgent need for humanitarian intervention to address the basic needs of the population amidst the conflict.
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