SAFA- Gaza is facing a deepening health and environmental crisis as Israel's ongoing genocide continues to devastate the territory's water infrastructure, contaminating drinking water supplies and accelerating the spread of disease.

Dr. Muneer Al-Bursh, Director-General of Gaza's Health Ministry, warned on Tuesday that the average concentration of total dissolved salts in Gaza's groundwater has reached 3,588 milligrams per liter, more than three-and-a-half times the internationally recommended limit for safe drinking water.

Speaking to reporters, Al-Bursh said salt levels have risen to as high as 13,000 milligrams per liter in some wells, highlighting the severe degradation of Gaza's coastal aquifer and the increasing intrusion of seawater into groundwater sources.

He added that laboratory testing found bacterial contamination in around 19% of municipal water wells. In addition, 40% of wells either lack functioning chlorination systems or require urgent maintenance, significantly increasing the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.

According to Al-Bursh, nearly half of all illnesses currently monitored by health authorities are linked to unsafe water and deteriorating environmental conditions. Waterborne diseases account for 25% of reported cases, while skin diseases represent 23%.

Health facilities across the Gaza Strip are recording dozens of new infections each day and thousands of new cases of skin and gastrointestinal illnesses every week. 

Al-Bursh also warned of a growing number of meningitis infections, saying the public health emergency will continue to worsen as Israel's genocidal campaign further damages Gaza's water and sanitation infrastructure.