Doha: Gaza Rights Center warned of the near-crumbling of the water system in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israeli offensives that devastated infrastructure and blocked the access of fuel supplies and essential equipment to operate and repair water facilities.
According to Qatar News Agency, the center issued a statement highlighting the impending collapse of the water system, which could force over a million Palestinians to endure catastrophic conditions as temperatures rise above 40 degrees inside tents and shelters. This situation threatens to deprive hundreds of thousands of families of the minimum essential water needed for drinking and basic uses.
The statement emphasized that the crises unfolding in Gaza are the result of an Israeli policy that targets civilian life-saving infrastructure. It noted that the water system and sanitation infrastructure have been severely damaged, creating an environment that could lead to outbreaks of diseases and epidemics, resulting in thirst and undernourishment.
The center's statement indicated that the average water availability per person in the enclave has dropped from around 80 liters per day before October 2023 to between 3 and 6 liters per day in most areas, with some areas seeing availability drop to less than two liters per day. These levels are significantly below the World Health Organization's minimum emergency threshold of 15 liters per person per day.
Additionally, the statement cited data from international humanitarian organizations, which suggest that over 80% of water and sanitation networks have been severely damaged due to Israeli shelling. Over 1,675 km of water and sewage networks have been affected, and most desalination plants, pumping stations, and treatment facilities are not operational.
The statement also mentioned that a significant portion of pumped water is being lost due to the decrepit networks, and a majority of groundwater has become undrinkable due to high salinity and contamination. The collapse is attributed to the blocking of essential fuel needed to operate water plants and ongoing power blackouts, which disrupt the functioning of water wells, desalination plants, and pumping stations.
The center warned of an unprecedented surge in health and humanitarian risks amid the ongoing heatwave, noting that nearly one million Palestinians are living in tents without basic survival conditions. The situation forces thousands of families to choose between using water for drinking, cooking, or maintaining personal hygiene, leading to rising rates of waterborne diseases, particularly affecting children, the elderly, and patients.
The statement highlighted that Israeli restrictions on the entry of fuel and materials needed for water facilities reflect a tactic of using water deprivation to pressure civilians. It stressed that international humanitarian law prohibits depriving civilians of indispensable items and destroying critical facilities.
The center called on the international community, the United Nations, and parties to the Geneva Convention to act immediately to compel Israel to stop attacking civilian infrastructure, lift restrictions on access to essentials, and ensure the unhindered access of maintenance and relief personnel. It also urged for international independent probes into the attacks on water and sanitation facilities and accountability for those responsible for weaponizing water.