Water Crisis in Gaza Deepens Amid Rising Health Concerns and Summer Heat

Humanitarian organizations warn that the water crisis in the Gaza Strip is worsening during the hot summer months, endangering residents' lives. According to Reuters data released on Wednesday, about half of Gaza's population, approximately 1.3 million people, have access to less than six liters of drinking water per day. Médecins Sans Frontières reports an even grimmer situation, with most residents receiving an average of only 4.3 liters daily, compared to the pre-war average of 8.5 liters per person per day.

Saeed Al-Aqlouk from the Palestinian Ministry of Health told Reuters that before the war, Gaza had around 320 water wells, but now fewer than 100 remain operational. He noted that about 80 percent of Gaza's water distribution network has been damaged or completely destroyed, calling the current situation the worst Gaza has ever experienced. Due to this, most residents rely on water deliveries by aid organizations, often waiting hours with buckets for supply trucks.

Alessandro Maracich, head of the UNDP development program in Gaza, described the water distribution as a difficult and complex operation, requiring access through rubble to reach the population. Local resident Ibtisam Al-Hilu, living in a tent near the coast, said water deliveries to her area occur only every three days, forcing her to travel to different neighborhoods to collect water. She added that before the war, her nine children bathed three times daily, but now they bathe only about once a week, often using seawater that causes itching, allergies, and severe infections.

Ozan Abbas, operations manager at Médecins Sans Frontières, expressed serious concern about rising illnesses due to water shortages, especially in summer. He highlighted that 46 percent of reported diseases in Gaza relate to respiratory infections, 31 percent to skin diseases, and 21 percent to acute diarrhea. Additionally, over 5,000 chickenpox cases were reported in the past week. Poor hygiene conditions exacerbate these health issues, particularly for those living in tents along the coast who bathe in the sea but lack access to adequate medical treatment.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated that the Israeli Defense Forces do not intentionally target vital water infrastructure and are working with international agencies to address sanitation and hygiene problems and improve water supply in Gaza.