Geneva - Saba:
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) called on Wednesday for the immediate restoration of the truce and the allowing of electricity and humanitarian aid into Gaza, including fuel, water supplies, and sanitation, to avoid further loss of life.
In a press release, the organization confirmed that access to water, electricity, and fuel is being blocked in Gaza amid the collapse of the truce.
The organization warned that the enemy is continuing a devastating warfare tactic in Gaza, effectively blocking access to water by cutting off electricity and fuel to the Strip, while the bombing of the Gaza Strip continues amid the collapse of the truce and the rising death toll.
Paula Navarro, MSF's water and sanitation coordinator in Gaza, said: "With new attacks that have killed hundreds in just a few days, Israel continues to deprive Gaza's population of water by cutting off electricity and preventing the entry of fuel, both essential resources for water infrastructure, including pumps."
"For those who have suffered from the ongoing bombardment, the suffering is compounded by the water crisis. Many are forced to drink unsafe water, while others lack access to it altogether."
The MSF medical team coordinator in Gaza, for her part, emphasized that the number of children suffering from skin diseases is a direct result of the destruction of Gaza and the blockade imposed on it.
She noted that in addition to treating adults and children with severe war injuries, our team is treating an increasing number of children with preventable skin diseases such as scabies, which causes intense suffering and, in severe cases, leads to scratching until the skin bleeds, exposing them to infection."
"This results from children's inability to bathe, which facilitates the spread of scabies and other infections, leaving permanent scars."
As the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues to worsen, MSF confirmed that amid Israeli bombardment, where fuel has run out, the remaining water system will completely collapse, cutting off people's access to water, with dire humanitarian consequences for the millions still inside Gaza.
In addition to the injuries and deaths caused by the bombing, access to safe water significantly impacts people's living conditions and health, she said.
In healthcare centers in Al-Muwasalat and Khan Younis, jaundice, diarrhea, and scabies are among the most common conditions MSF treats, all resulting from the lack of safe water supplies.
MSF explained that even before the resumption of hostilities in Gaza earlier last week, which resulted in the collapse of the two-month-old ceasefire, Israel had banned all aid from entering Gaza. As a result, humanitarian efforts to rehabilitate Gaza's water system continue to face significant obstacles and delays due to the dual prior approval system imposed by the Israeli authorities. She said that many water and sanitation supplies require prior approval, including chlorine, essential spare parts for desalination units, generators, well pumps, and water tanks.
Paula Navarro said, "Restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities have made it almost impossible to rebuild a functioning water system. Water production depends on energy, but new generators larger than 30 kilowatts have not been allowed in. We are forced to 'reconstruct' generators using spare parts from other generators."
MSF reiterated its call on Israel to lift the inhumane blockade of Gaza, comply with international humanitarian law and its obligations as an occupying power, and ensure unhindered access to aid.
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