DaysofPal- The Water Authority in Gaza has issued an urgent warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe threatening the lives of more than 2.3 million people, as water and sanitation services teeter on the brink of total collapse amid continued Israeli attacks.
In a statement released Saturday, the Authority described Gaza as a “thirst-to-death zone,” citing the widespread destruction of infrastructure, prolonged power outages, and the Israeli blockade that has prevented the entry of fuel and critical supplies.
According to technical assessments, 85% of Gaza’s water and sanitation facilities have sustained severe damage, and water extraction has dropped by 70–80%. As a result, the average per capita water consumption has plummeted to just 3–5 liters per day, well below the World Health Organization’s emergency minimum standard of 15 liters.
The Authority warned of a rising health crisis, with sewage being discharged into residential areas and rainwater basins, raising the risk of disease outbreaks. Many residents are now forced to rely on salty, undrinkable water for daily use.
The statement stressed that these conditions amount to a clear violation of international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and the Rome Statute.
The Water Authority called on the international community to take immediate and concrete steps to halt the Israeli aggression, lift the blockade, and ensure the safe passage of water and sanitation supplies. It also urged protection for workers in the water sector and support for emergency and recovery efforts led by the Palestinian government.
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