Gaza Municipality: A catastrophic water situation and the deficit exceeds 80%

Hosni Muhanna, spokesperson for the Gaza Municipality, confirmed that the city is experiencing a catastrophic water situation due to the ongoing Israeli aggression and its direct and indirect targeting of infrastructure, particularly water facilities, along with a severe shortage of fuel needed to operate these facilities.

Muhanna said that the prolonged Israeli war has caused widespread destruction to water networks and wells, especially in the western areas of Gaza City, which are densely populated due to successive waves of displacement.

He added, “Today we are talking about a severely damaged water network and the massive destruction of wastewater wells. Only 19 of the 96 remain operational, reflecting a deficit of more than 80%.

He pointed out that the available water supplies to residents do not meet even the minimum needs, and that the water pumped into some western areas via saline wells is similar to seawater and unfit for human consumption. However, it is being pumped as a precaution to compensate for the severe shortage in supplies.

Mahna emphasized that the municipality is making strenuous efforts, in partnership with residents and the local community, to operate the available wells by providing limited quantities of fuel and pumping water to neighboring areas, in an attempt to alleviate the worsening water crisis.