Oxfam has issued a stark warning that water and sanitation networks in Gaza have been extensively destroyed, with only 7% of water resources remaining usable in Rafah and northern Gaza. Following 15 months of Israeli military offensive, 1,675 kilometres of water and sanitation infrastructure have been devastated, severely impacting access to clean water and exacerbating the risk of waterborne diseases.  

In a report published on 17 February, Oxfam highlighted that less than 7% of the pre-conflict water supply is now accessible in northern Gaza and Rafah, where destruction is most severe. The organisation, one of the world’s leading humanitarian groups, emphasised that the massive damage to water and sanitation infrastructure is now fully visible, with losses far exceeding initial estimates.  

“The destruction of most of Gaza’s vital water and sanitation networks has plunged medical and sanitary conditions into catastrophe,” Oxfam stated. Founded in 1942 at the University of Oxford, Oxfam operates in 98 countries, working to eradicate poverty, hunger, and injustice. The organisation underscored the urgent need for international action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the lack of clean water and sanitation poses a dire threat to public health.  

Oxfam’s report serves as a grim reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict on Gaza’s civilian population, calling for immediate efforts to rebuild infrastructure and restore access to essential services.