As famine looms in Gaza after 22 months of war, another devastating crisis is unfolding – the near-total collapse of clean water access. Daily life for Gazans now revolves around grueling treks to collect brackish, contaminated water from damaged wells, with families struggling to secure even minimal amounts for drinking and washing. Aid groups warn the water shortage has become as critical as food insecurity, with consumption rates falling far below emergency minimums.
Most of Gaza’s water infrastructure lies in ruins after repeated Israeli bombardment. Though Israel says it operates two water pipelines into Gaza, Palestinian officials report these have been non-functional recently. The coastal aquifer – already over-pumped before the war – has become increasingly polluted with sewage and chemicals leaching through rubble. Small desalination units run by aid agencies provide some relief, but fuel shortages frequently disable the generators needed to operate water pumps.
For 23-year-old Moaz Mukhaimar, each day involves multiple exhausting trips to collect water. “How long will we have to stay like this?” he asks while hauling heavy canisters back to his family’s tent in Deir al-Balah. His mother Umm Moaz worries constantly about their 20-person extended family’s needs: “The children keep wanting to drink. Who knows if tomorrow we will be able to fill up again.” Across Gaza, similar scenes play out daily as displaced families in makeshift shelters struggle with barely 3-5 liters of water per person – compared to Israel’s average of 247 liters.
The health consequences are severe. Oxfam reports waterborne diseases have surged 150% in three months, with hepatitis and diarrhea spreading rapidly. While Israel blames Hamas for Gaza’s suffering and says it facilitates aid, UN agencies stress the situation violates international humanitarian standards. With sanitation systems destroyed and clean water increasingly scarce, Gaza’s population faces compounding health threats even as they endure ongoing bombardment and starvation. The water crisis, like the famine, shows no signs of abating as the war enters its third year.