Gaza - Saba:
The Gaza Municipality has confirmed that the ongoing displacement crisis and lack of resources are worsening the humanitarian catastrophe in the city, intensifying severe thirst as well as health and environmental disasters.
In a statement issued on Friday, the municipality stated that it has been forced to reduce essential services due to the lack of fuel and other necessary supplies.
It emphasized that its top priority is operating water wells and pumping stations, given the urgent need for water amid the mass displacement of residents from the northern areas of the Gaza Strip and the eastern neighborhoods of the city.
The municipality noted that the population has increased by approximately 50%, with the current number of residents reaching around 1.2 million, now concentrated in less than half the city’s total area.
It added that the limited fuel supply has worsened the crisis, allowing only a few wells to operate for very short periods. Additionally, the reduction of water supplies from the “Mekorot” water line has exacerbated the water shortage.
The municipality stated it had to scale back services, particularly water, sewage, and waste collection.
It described the city’s situation as a “deepening and dangerous humanitarian disaster,” caused by displacement, accumulated waste in the city center, lack of fuel and machinery, and the ongoing blockade that prevents municipal crews from reaching the main landfill site in the Juhr al-Dik area east of the city.
Gaza Municipality called on international organizations to urgently intervene and provide fuel and resources to mitigate the crisis and prevent the spread of diseases resulting from the dire health and environmental conditions in the city.
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