DaysofPal-Thousands of displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza are facing a worsening water shortage as ongoing Israeli bombardment restricts access to essential supplies in the Al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis, residents and local authorities said.
People in the Al-Iqlimi area reported that sustained Israeli gunfire in and around displacement camps has disrupted daily life, preventing water trucks from entering for several days due to security concerns.
Displaced resident Ihab Abu Al-Batikh described severe restrictions on movement during daylight hours.
“From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., no one can move. Gunfire is intense and constant; even tents are being hit,” he told local media, adding that residents remain inside their shelters to reduce the risk of injury.
He said the lack of water deliveries has forced some families to consume saline water, while others walk up to one kilometer to reach the limited supplies available from wells.
Another displaced resident, Ibrahim Iyad Al-Kadash, said the shortage has made daily life “almost impossible,” particularly amid soaring summer temperatures.
“We are living without water. It affects everything,” he said, noting that water trucks that previously arrived regularly have been delayed or halted because of the risks faced by drivers.
Residents said they are paying inflated prices for small amounts of water when it is available, while many have turned to unsafe water sources following damage to local wells.
Near Al-Shakoush Junction, displaced resident Abdullah Awad Fawjo described conditions as among the worst in the area, citing the proximity of Israeli military positions and ongoing gunfire.
He said movement is heavily restricted for much of the day, prompting some families, particularly women and children, to leave the camp in recent days.
Witnesses also reported the construction of earthen barriers and a gate near the junction, further restricting access to and from the camps.
The Rafah Municipality said the suspension of desalinated water deliveries has placed thousands at risk of dehydration.
In a statement, the municipality said the affected area includes 12 camps sheltering approximately 2,500 displaced families.
Before the disruption, the camps received around 150 cubic meters of water per delivery, a level officials said was already insufficient.
The municipality attributed the suspension to ongoing Israeli gunfire targeting roads and the perimeters of the camps, forcing water providers to halt operations to protect their staff.
Local authorities called on the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other humanitarian organizations to intervene and ensure safe access for water deliveries and other essential services.
They warned that the continued shortage could trigger a severe humanitarian and public health crisis, stressing the need to protect civilians and guarantee access to basic resources in line with international humanitarian law.
“There is no greater risk now than thirst,” one official statement said.
The water crisis has been compounded by repeated Israeli attacks on water wells and desalination facilities throughout the war, further reducing access to safe drinking water for Gaza’s civilian population.
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