Gaza - Saba:
The municipalities of the Central Governorate in the Gaza Strip, in coordination with the Solid Waste Management Council of the local authorities in the southern governorates (Rafah, Khan Yunis, and the Central Governorate), announced today, Sunday, a complete halt to all their essential services.
This was due to the complete interruption of fuel supplies needed to operate water wells, sewage treatment plants, waste collection and transportation vehicles, and heavy equipment for rubble removal and road opening.
In a joint statement, they stated that despite the significant efforts made by the municipalities over the past period, under exceptional circumstances and a severe shortage of resources, to provide the minimum level of humanitarian services, the enemy's intransigence and continued prevention of fuel entry to the municipalities, despite local and international appeals, has led to a complete paralysis of all municipal facilities and a complete halt to vital services, including the services of the Solid Waste Management Council responsible for waste transportation in the governorate.
They added, "The crisis has worsened with the continued interruption of Mekorot water—one of the primary sources supplying the central governorate—since January 23, 2025, which has exacerbated the water crisis and raised the level of health and environmental threats, especially with the onset of summer, the increase in demand for water, and the inability of municipal crews to intervene or alleviate the suffering of residents and displaced persons."
They continued, "In addition, the power line supplying the central seawater desalination plant south of Deir al-Balah has been cut off since March 9, 2025. This has led to the halt of the production of large quantities of drinking water, which were helping to relieve pressure on the governorate's water network and has further exacerbated the current water crisis."
They called on all UN organizations, international institutions, and relevant parties to take immediate and urgent action to supply the fuel needed to operate water wells, sewage pumps, waste collection vehicles, and heavy equipment for removing rubble. This will enable municipalities and the Solid Waste Management Council to resume their service and humanitarian role towards the governorate's residents and displaced persons.
They called on the relevant authorities to quickly restore the Mekorot water pipeline and resume water pumping as usual, given its strategic importance in supporting the water network during emergency circumstances.
They also called for the urgent reconnection of the electricity line supplying the seawater desalination plant south of Deir al-Balah to resume operation of the plant, which is a vital source of drinking water.