The Gaza Municipality has accused Israel of deliberately blocking urgent repairs to the critical “Mekorot” water pipeline, deepening an already catastrophic water crisis for hundreds of thousands of residents in the war-torn enclave.

In a statement released on Saturday, municipal officials said Israeli authorities continue to stall the permits needed for technical teams to access the damaged section of the pipeline. They stressed that if access were granted, the repairs could be completed within just 24 hours. “All we need is access—nothing more. The teams and equipment are ready,” the municipality affirmed.

The Mekorot pipeline, one of Gaza’s primary water sources, has become indispensable amid widespread destruction of infrastructure due to relentless bombardment. Its continued disruption has pushed families—already enduring dire shortages of clean water, poor sanitation, and a crumbling healthcare system—even closer to the brink.

With the blockade choking the entry of fuel, spare parts, and vital equipment, municipalities throughout Gaza are battling to sustain basic services. Officials underlined that the crisis is not the result of environmental factors, but of deliberate obstruction aimed at depriving civilians of essential needs.

The municipality issued an urgent appeal to international organisations and humanitarian bodies to pressure Israel into allowing the repair work to proceed. “Water is a fundamental human right,” the statement declared. “Denying it in wartime amounts to collective punishment—and must be recognised as such.”