The Gaza Municipality has warned of the imminent collapse of the city’s water system, confirming that the deficit in meeting water needs has reached 76%. It emphasized that the water scarcity threatens the spread of epidemics and diseases in light of the mass displacement and destruction of infrastructure caused by the ongoing Israeli aggression.
The Gaza Municipality announced that the city is facing an unprecedented catastrophic water crisis, warning of the imminent collapse of the water system if urgent intervention is not taken.
Municipality spokesman Hosni Muhanna said that the deficit in meeting residents’ water needs has reached 76%, threatening serious health and environmental consequences for hundreds of thousands of residents and displaced persons.
Muhanna explained that the municipality is currently pumping only 24,000 cubic meters of water per day, while the actual need exceeds 100,000 cubic meters, especially in light of the large population density in the west of the city resulting from the widespread displacement caused by the Israeli aggression, which is leading to thousands of families suffering from severe thirst.
He pointed out that of the 96 wells in Gaza, only 19 are still operating. The Israeli occupation forces have directly destroyed 56 wells, while 14 others are located in dangerous areas that are difficult to access due to the ongoing bombing. Seven wells have been put out of service due to fuel and equipment shortages and a lack of maintenance capabilities.
Mahna emphasized that the municipality, despite its limited resources and the extensive damage to infrastructure, continues to operate the remaining wells and water stations in cooperation with local and international organizations, and is distributing water via tankers to meet the minimum needs of the population.
He added that the population density, the destruction of water and sewage networks, and the lack of hygiene materials all contribute to the risk of the spread of epidemics and infectious diseases. He noted that “this is no longer just a service crisis, but a direct threat to people’s lives.”
He concluded by warning that the continuation of this situation without urgent intervention means facing a real humanitarian and environmental disaster, requiring immediate action by relevant international organizations.
