Gaza water crisis reaches critical levels, municipality warns

Gaza’s water crisis has reached critical levels, the Gaza Municipality said, warning that continued shortages could lead to severe thirst threatening residents’ lives, particularly as temperatures rise and Israel restricts the entry of essential supplies, maintenance materials, spare parts, fuel and industrial oils in sufficient quantities.

Municipality spokesman Husni Muhanna told Arab21 that the destruction of wells, water networks, pumping stations and desalination plants across the Gaza Strip, along with shortages of fuel, maintenance materials, spare parts and industrial oils, had sharply reduced the amount of water available to residents.

In Gaza City, daily water needs are estimated at about 100,000 cubic metres, while only about 30,000 cubic metres are available even under the best conditions, representing a 70 per cent shortfall. This follows the destruction by Israeli forces of about 72 main water wells that supplied the city.

Muhanna warned that even these limited supplies could decline further as generators used to pump water stop operating because of fuel shortages, while Israel prevents the entry of spare parts and oils needed for regular maintenance.