A new human rights report has highlighted the “unprecedented water crisis” in the Gaza Strip, which threatens the lives of more than two million people and violates their human dignity. This crisis stems from Israeli restrictions on the entry of fuel, equipment, and essential maintenance materials, a consequence of the catastrophic effects of the war and the widespread destruction it inflicted on the water infrastructure.
The report, prepared by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, explains that the water crisis in the Gaza Strip has transcended the bounds of an emergency supply shortage, evolving into a systematic and deliberate policy of deprivation that directly impacts one of the most vital elements for the survival of the civilian population.
A Serious Crisis
The Center emphasized that the Gaza Strip is experiencing a “serious water crisis,” with approximately 85% of the population deprived of regular access to clean water. As a result, the majority of families have become reliant on unsafe, irregular, and expensive alternative sources. The report indicated that, according to documented data from the Water and Environmental Quality Authority, total water production in the Gaza Strip has declined to approximately 150,000 cubic meters per day, compared to about 300,000 cubic meters per day before the war. Meanwhile, the average water loss has increased to about 65% (compared to 35% before the war), a clear indicator of the extent of damage and leaks in the underground networks and the difficulty of carrying out maintenance work.
The report emphasized that conditions are becoming increasingly dire in displacement camps and centers, where individuals in many locations receive less than 5 liters per day. This meager amount falls far short of the minimum humanitarian requirement in emergencies (15 liters per day) and is significantly less than the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 100 liters per day per person under normal circumstances to ensure hygiene and public health.
The report also notes that municipalities and the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility are facing unprecedented operational challenges due to the severe shortage of energy sources. Reliance on dilapidated generators that operate for limited hours is exacerbated by shortages of fuel, engine oil, chlorine disinfectant, and spare parts.
