The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (Hashd) has revealed a dire situation in Gaza, where 96% of the water supply is now deemed unfit for consumption due to the complete collapse of infrastructure. This alarming development is attributed to the destruction of water and sanitation systems, exacerbated by a blockade that restricts fuel and humanitarian aid.

The report, titled “The Thirst Policy in Gaza and the Impact of the Genocidal War on Water,” outlines the severe implications of this crisis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the quality of water available poses significant health risks, as daily water supply per capita has plummeted by 97%. Residents are now left with only 3 to 15 liters of water per day, far below the global average of over 100 liters.

The report highlights that 88% of Gaza’s water wells have suffered damage, and all sewage treatment plants have been destroyed, leading to contaminated water flooding residential areas. Furthermore, 496 desalination stations have been rendered inoperative, cutting off access to vital clean drinking water sources. The destruction of 655 kilometers of sewage networks has resulted in severe flooding in streets and homes, with 70% of sewage pumps currently out of service, creating a critical health and environmental crisis.

Hashd accuses Israel of employing a calculated strategy to deprive the population of water, using it as a form of collective punishment. This includes blocking essential fuel supplies for water pumping and targeting water infrastructure directly, alongside significantly reducing the amount of purchased water supplied to Gaza.

The repercussions of the water crisis are profound, with a surge in waterborne diseases such as cholera and gastrointestinal infections due to contaminated supplies. The compromised water infrastructure has devastated agricultural production, with 185,000 square meters of farmland bulldozed and 35 fish farming projects destroyed, further exacerbating food insecurity.

In response to this escalating humanitarian disaster, Hashd has urgently called upon the international community to hold accountable those responsible for these violations against civilians. They urge immediate action to rebuild Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure and to pressure Israel to permit humanitarian aid, including essential fuel for water facilities. As the crisis deepens, the threat to millions of lives in Gaza grows ever more severe.