Israel is deliberately depriving Gaza of access to clean water by destroying infrastructure and blocking imports of essential medical devices, the borderless international health charity (MSF) said Anadolu reported.
After 22 months of artillery fire and restrictions, the amount of safe water available in the enclave is “completely insufficient” by the French acronym MSF, a medical charity, has accused Israel of using water as a “weapon of war.”
MSF noted that since June 2024, only one in ten requests to import items needed for desalination has been approved by Israeli authorities.
Currently, seven MSF treatment units provide water to around 65,000 people, which amounts to just 7.5 liters per day.
“Israel must begin to allow imports of critical equipment for large-scale water supply and distribution,” the organization emphasized. “The Israeli military must stop the destruction of water infrastructure and allow immediate repairs to the damaged system.”
According to MSF, Gaza does not have natural drinking water due to salt and sewage contamination. However, two of the three pipelines to Gaza have been repeatedly damaged since October 2023, with more than 60% of the territories’ 196 desalination plants not working due to airstrikes or access restrictions.
A lack of clean water has driven a surge in disease. The MSF Medical Team reported that over 1,000 consultations each week have been carrying out sharp, watery diarrhea over the past month.
Poor hygiene has also led to a wide range of skin conditions such as genitals. Hospitals are also struggling without enough water to hydrate patients and prevent infection.