Gaza - Saba:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned of an extreme water crisis threatening Palestinians in the Gaza Strip with death from thirst, amid the collapse of water supply systems due to Israeli bombardment of infrastructure and a fuel blockade in place since March.
In a statement posted on Facebook Wednesday evening, the UN agency said: “Palestinian families across Gaza are now facing death from thirst as water systems collapse.”
The statement added: “Only 40 percent of drinking water production facilities remain operational. Gaza is on the brink of a man-made drought.”
UNRWA explained that its capacity to provide water has dropped to half the amount it supplied during the previous ceasefire. This decline is attributed to ongoing Israeli airstrikes, forced displacement orders, and a fuel ban imposed by Israeli authorities for over 100 days.
The agency noted: “Wells have run out of fuel, others are located in dangerous areas that are hard to access, pipes are broken and wasting water, and water trucks often can’t reach their destinations.”
UNRWA reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Over the past month, municipalities across Gaza have warned of a halt in essential services due to the depletion of fuel supplies critical for operating facilities—chief among them water wells.