How Israel's Restrictions Have Turned Water into a Matter of Life and Death in Gaza
Israel is using access to water as a weapon of war and a tool of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, Medecins Sans Frontieres has said in a new report.
LONDON: Israel is using access to water as a weapon of war and a tool of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, according to a new report by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
The aid group, along with other organizations, has warned that families face dehydration and disease due to the crisis.
Small children in Gaza haul water containers over long distances from distribution points run by non-governmental organizations.
Despite this effort, even these basic needs for clean water are not met.
The situation has led to dire health consequences and a perfect storm of disease outbreaks.
MSF documented how Israeli authorities have been deliberately depriving Palestinians in Gaza of water as an "integral part of Israel's genocide".
They argue that without access to water, life ends.
However, the scale of the crisis is stark: about 96 percent of households lack access to adequate quantities of safe, clean water, according to UNICEF.
The water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza has been severely damaged or destroyed since Oct. 7, 2023.
Facilities still operating are running at sharply reduced capacity due to fuel shortages.
The UN defines the human right to water as access to enough safe, acceptable and affordable water for personal and domestic uses.
In emergencies, the World Health Organization sets the floor at 7.5 to 15 liters per person per day.
In Gaza, fetching even a much smaller amount can be deadly.
Families are forced to rely on trucked or partially treated water, while humanitarian organizations work to provide emergency supplies.
The lack of water has led to an explosion of pests like rats and insects that spread disease and contaminate the already unsafe water.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported in late 2024 that nearly 73 percent of drinking water samples and more than 97 percent of domestic water samples failed minimum chlorination standards.
Videos circulating on social media show frail, malnourished children carrying large jerrycans across scorched ground in all weather.
The situation has been worsened by the increasingly fragmented geography of Gaza due to Israeli military operations and restrictions.
The Israel Defense Ministry rejected MSF's findings as "baseless claims".
However, aid organizations have called on Israeli authorities to restore water access for Palestinians in Gaza.
The aid group, along with other organizations, has warned that families face dehydration and disease due to the crisis.
Small children in Gaza haul water containers over long distances from distribution points run by non-governmental organizations.
Despite this effort, even these basic needs for clean water are not met.
The situation has led to dire health consequences and a perfect storm of disease outbreaks.
MSF documented how Israeli authorities have been deliberately depriving Palestinians in Gaza of water as an "integral part of Israel's genocide".
They argue that without access to water, life ends.
However, the scale of the crisis is stark: about 96 percent of households lack access to adequate quantities of safe, clean water, according to UNICEF.
The water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza has been severely damaged or destroyed since Oct. 7, 2023.
Facilities still operating are running at sharply reduced capacity due to fuel shortages.
The UN defines the human right to water as access to enough safe, acceptable and affordable water for personal and domestic uses.
In emergencies, the World Health Organization sets the floor at 7.5 to 15 liters per person per day.
In Gaza, fetching even a much smaller amount can be deadly.
Families are forced to rely on trucked or partially treated water, while humanitarian organizations work to provide emergency supplies.
The lack of water has led to an explosion of pests like rats and insects that spread disease and contaminate the already unsafe water.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported in late 2024 that nearly 73 percent of drinking water samples and more than 97 percent of domestic water samples failed minimum chlorination standards.
Videos circulating on social media show frail, malnourished children carrying large jerrycans across scorched ground in all weather.
The situation has been worsened by the increasingly fragmented geography of Gaza due to Israeli military operations and restrictions.
The Israel Defense Ministry rejected MSF's findings as "baseless claims".
However, aid organizations have called on Israeli authorities to restore water access for Palestinians in Gaza.
