DayofPal– The Union of Gaza Municipalities has issued a dire warning, declaring that the besieged enclave is plunging deeper into a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe due to prolonged power outages and the closure of border crossings.
This crisis, now in its 16th month, has been exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing military assault, which has left Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins.
According to the union, the most pressing issue is the desperate need for a stable supply of electricity and water.
The situation took a dramatic turn for the worse when Israel cut off electricity to Gaza’s central water desalination plant, rendering it inoperable. Without it, the already dire water crisis is reaching dangerous new levels, threatening the health and survival of millions.
In a strongly worded statement, the union condemned the recent decision by Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen to revoke the license that allowed electricity supply to Gaza, a move that follows Israel’s earlier ban on fuel and humanitarian aid shipments into the strip.
The consequences have been devastating. Gaza’s essential services such as hospitals, water treatment plants, and sanitation systems, are collapsing. Sewage plants have shut down, water purification facilities have ceased operation, and municipal services are grinding to a halt.
The risk of disease outbreaks is growing by the day as sanitation deteriorates, placing the population in grave danger.
The union warned that these punitive measures against civilians constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, worsening an already unprecedented crisis.
Adding to the strain, Israel’s restrictions on construction materials, spare parts, and alternative energy systems have crippled municipalities’ ability to implement emergency solutions, pushing Gaza’s infrastructure closer to total collapse.
In a desperate appeal, the Union of Gaza Municipalities called on the international community, humanitarian organizations, and relevant authorities to take immediate action.
They urged the urgent provision of electricity, fuel, and clean water, as well as the entry of essential equipment to prevent further environmental and health disasters.
Since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its military campaign on Gaza, the enclave has been entirely cut off from electricity. Now, with no end to the crisis in sight, over two million people remain trapped in a humanitarian nightmare, facing what officials describe as the worst disaster in Gaza’s history.
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