Approximately 2.1 million people in the Gaza Strip are facing a dire water crisis, with nearly 70% of the region’s water infrastructure destroyed due to Israeli military operations, according to Pedro Agudo, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Gaza.

In a press statement Wednesday, Agudo described the systematic destruction of Gaza’s water infrastructure and restricted access to clean water as a “silent but deadly bomb.” He reported that most residents have access to only minimal or contaminated water, posing significant health risks.

Agudo highlighted the impact of the Israeli blockade, in place since October 2023, which has severely limited access to food, water, electricity, and other essentials. The crisis has worsened due to Israel’s cutoff of fuel supplies needed to power water purification plants and wells.

The Rapporteur condemned the deliberate targeting of water systems, stating that it constitutes “using water as a weapon” in the conflict. Daily per capita water supply in Gaza has plummeted to just 5 liters, far below what is needed for basic living conditions.

Agudo called for urgent international action to address the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. (ILKHA)