More than 2 million people in Gaza are at risk of running out of water. The recent attacks by Hamas militants have resulted in Israel cutting off water and electricity to the region for over a week, which has worsened an already long-standing water crisis. As a result, the population of Gaza, including half a million children, are becoming more vulnerable to waterborne diseases, infections, and dehydration. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, referred to the situation as a “matter of life and death” in a statement on October 14th.
The water crisis in Gaza has been a persistent problem for many years. The region, known for being one of the most densely populated in the world, does not have a reliable source of surface water. Its primary freshwater supply comes from a shallow aquifer. However, excessive pumping from Gaza and neighboring countries, including Israel, has severely depleted the aquifer in recent years and increased its salinity. Additionally, seawater intrusion, wastewater, and agricultural run-off have further contaminated the aquifer. The United Nations reports that 97% of the groundwater in the aquifer does not meet the water quality standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Consequently, most of Gaza’s population relies on private water tankers and small-scale desalination plants to obtain drinking water.
Furthermore, previous conflicts with Israel have significantly damaged Gaza’s water infrastructure. In recent years, both Israel and Egypt have restricted the import of equipment necessary for maintaining the water system, including water pumps. This, coupled with a lack of investment, has made it impossible for Gaza to make necessary repairs and upgrade its water system, resulting in an outdated and inadequate infrastructure that cannot meet the increasing demand for water, even before the current crisis. Peter Gleick, a water expert at the Pacific Institute, emphasizes that “the conflict is disrupting already unreliable water availability in Gaza for millions of people.”
The consequences of the water crisis in Gaza are dire. Without access to safe drinking water, people are forced to use contaminated well water, leading to a heightened risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Moreover, the lack of electricity and fuel hinders sanitation operations in Gaza, including sewage treatment and disposal. This poses a threat not only to public health in Gaza itself but also to neighboring regions. In the past, pollution from Gaza has even caused periodic shutdowns of desalination plants in Israel. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, a representative from the WHO, warns that this situation is a threat to global public health, with the potential for diseases like cholera and polio to emerge in other parts of the world.
The water crisis also has implications for the healthcare system in Gaza. Hospitals are struggling to treat illnesses, injuries, and wounds caused by the ongoing conflict due to the lack of safe water. Even if Israel were to resume water supplies to Gaza, the crisis would not be resolved. Without electricity, water cannot be distributed through pipes, and the stagnant water in the pipes is likely to be contaminated with groundwater and heavy metals. Transporting water through densely populated and war-torn areas would also present significant challenges.
While humanitarian aid from organizations like the WHO and the UN is ready to assist, the border crossing between Egypt and Gaza remains closed, preventing the aid from reaching those in need. The UN, recognizing access to water and sanitation as a human right, has warned that the death rate in Gaza will increase if access to water is not restored. As of now, the Israeli government has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
