The municipality of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza has made an urgent appeal to the international community for immediate humanitarian intervention, warning of a looming public health and environmental disaster as essential services collapse under continued Israeli bombardment and blockade.

In a desperate message addressed to global organisations including UNICEF, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, local authorities stressed that water wells and sewage systems have ground to a halt due to severe fuel shortages.

The city's infrastructure, already crippled by months of war, is now on the brink of total failure. Israeli airstrikes have damaged key facilities, and officials fear the unchecked spread of waterborne diseases from untreated waste, stagnant sewage, and the growing presence of mosquitoes in residential areas.

Municipal leaders are calling for urgent fuel deliveries to restart water and sanitation systems, along with spare parts and lubricants for urgent repairs. They also seek permission to bring in heavy equipment to clear rubble and reopen blocked roads—steps essential to restoring a minimum level of public safety.

Despite ongoing coordination efforts, Beit Lahia remains one of the hardest-hit areas in Gaza, where nearly all vital services have come to a standstill. The city’s leaders are urging the international community not to turn away, warning that inaction will only accelerate the collapse of civilian life.