GAZA,(Palestine Foundation Information Center) The Gaza Municipality has warned of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe threatening more than 1.2 million residents and displaced persons due to the complete halt of Mekorot water pumping since Sunday and the shortage of fuel needed to operate the remaining water wells.
In a statement, the municipality said that the currently functioning wells cover only 12% of the minimum daily needs, reducing per capita water availability to less than 5 liters per day, and in some displacement centers to less than 2 liters.
The statement explained that Israeli forces have destroyed 63 wells, 4 main reservoirs, and more than 115,000 meters of water networks. The bombardment has also completely halted operations at the main desalination plant in northern Gaza.
It pointed out that large areas of Gaza City have been deprived of water for days, amid escalating aggression and the ongoing genocidal war, leading to the collapse of safe water sources and a total absence of urgent humanitarian response.
The Gaza Municipality affirmed that its teams continue working in the field and are holding talks with local and international parties in an attempt to restore Mekorot water supplies and operate the stalled wells. It called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene to prevent the total collapse of essential services.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, backed by the United States, has waged a genocidal campaign in Gaza, involving killing, starvation, destruction, and displacement, while ignoring international appeals and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt its actions.
The genocide has left more than 200,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them women and children, with over 11,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, a famine claiming many lives including children, and widespread devastation.
