SAFA — More than 900,000 Palestinians in western Khan Younis, southern Gaza, are facing severe water shortages as Israel's destruction of infrastructure and restrictions on essential fuel and maintenance supplies continue to disrupt water services, according to local municipal officials.

Thousands of displaced families are struggling to obtain drinking water, with some residents walking long distances, waiting for water tankers or going up to 15 days without regular supplies.

The crisis has become particularly dangerous for families living in overcrowded displacement camps, where clean water is essential for drinking, cooking and maintaining basic hygiene.

Families Struggle to Find Drinking Water

For elderly Palestinian Khalil Abdul Hadi Abu Anza, obtaining water means walking more than 1.5 kilometers to reach a distribution point.

He said his family had gone eight days without a regular water supply, forcing his children to drink salty seawater because safe alternatives were unavailable.

Abu Anza described a crisis that has worsened over the past three years, leaving his family struggling to meet its most basic needs. Even purchasing water has become difficult because supplies are scarce.

Another resident, identified as Radwan, described how children are forced to chase water tankers through crowded streets, sometimes risking being struck by passing vehicles as they attempt to fill their containers.

He said the shortages have also forced him to miss work and travel long distances to obtain water for his family. At times, he has gone as long as 15 days without being able to fill even two water containers.

Radwan warned that prolonged interruptions to the main water reservoir could have devastating consequences for densely populated neighborhoods, particularly those surrounding schools.

Israeli Attacks Destroy Water Infrastructure

Khan Younis Municipality spokesperson Saeb Laqan attributed the worsening crisis to Israeli restrictions on the entry of diesel fuel and engine oils needed to operate water wells, generators and desalination facilities.

He said the shortages have disrupted water services for more than 900,000 residents and displaced Palestinians in western Khan Younis, leaving municipal teams unable to maintain regular distribution.

According to Laqan, Israeli attacks have destroyed more than 60 electricity generators, over 300 kilometers of water networks and 40 central water wells.

The lack of spare parts and maintenance supplies has further delayed repairs, preventing municipal crews from restoring damaged facilities.

Laqan warned that the crisis extends beyond Khan Younis, with 25 municipalities across the Gaza Strip facing similar difficulties in maintaining essential services.

To ease the shortages, Khan Younis Municipality has rented private water tankers to distribute limited supplies. However, officials say the emergency measure cannot replace a functioning water network.

Water Shortages Threaten Public Health

The lack of safe drinking water is exposing displaced Palestinians, particularly children, to serious health risks.

Families living in overcrowded tents face growing difficulties maintaining basic hygiene, while reliance on salty or potentially contaminated water increases the risk of illness.

The disruption also affects food preparation, sanitation and healthcare, placing additional pressure on communities already struggling with displacement and widespread infrastructure damage.

Khan Younis Municipality has appealed to the international community and donor organizations to press Israel to allow the immediate entry of fuel, engine oils and essential maintenance supplies needed to restore water services.

Municipal officials warn that without these materials, prolonged interruptions could leave hundreds of thousands of Palestinians without reliable access to safe water.