A new report issued by Oxfam on Thursday revealed Israel's systematic use of water against the people of the Gaza Strip, "in disregard and contempt for human life and international law."

The report, titled “Water War Crimes,” concludes that Israel’s cutting off of external water supplies, the systematic destruction of water facilities, and the deliberate obstruction of aid have reduced the amount of water in the Gaza Strip by 94% to 4.74 liters per day per person, “slightly less than "One-third of the recommended emergency minimum and less than one toilet flush."

The Oxfam report also concluded that Israeli military attacks have damaged or destroyed five water and sanitation infrastructure sites every three days since the beginning of the war, and that the destruction of water and electricity infrastructure and restrictions on the entry of spare parts and fuel (only a fifth of the required quantity are allowed to enter... On average only) it led to a decrease in water production by 84% in the Gaza Strip, and external supplies from the Israeli water company Mekorot decreased by 78%.

The report also concluded that Israel destroyed 70% of all sewage pumps and all sewage treatment plants, as well as the main water quality testing laboratories in the Gaza Strip, and restricted the entry of Oxfam’s water testing equipment, and that Gaza City lost all of its production capacity. Almost of water, as 88% of water wells and all water desalination plants were damaged or destroyed.

The report highlighted the impact of the severe shortage of clean water and sanitation facilities on the health of the people of the Gaza Strip, as “more than a quarter of the population of the Gaza Strip (26%) suffer from serious diseases that are easily preventable.”

Lama Abdel Samad, a specialist in the field of water and sanitation at Oxfam, said, “It is clear that Israel has created a devastating humanitarian emergency that has led to the killing of Palestinian civilians.”

She added: “We have seen in action Israel's use of collective punishment and starvation as a weapon of war. We are now witnessing its use of water as a weapon, which is already having deadly consequences. But deliberately restricting access to water is not a new policy. The Israeli government has deprived Palestinians throughout the West Bank.” The Gaza Strip has had safe and sufficient water for many years.”

She continued: “The widespread destruction and severe restrictions imposed on the delivery of aid in the Gaza Strip, which affect access to water and other necessities for survival, underscore the urgent need for the international community to take decisive action to prevent further suffering by supporting justice and human rights.” “Including those stipulated in the Geneva Conventions and the Genocide Conventions.”

Oxfam stated that since the decision of the International Court of Justice last January that Israel must take all measures to prevent acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, and take measures to ensure the immediate provision of the urgent humanitarian needs of the Gaza Strip, the organization has witnessed for itself obstruction. Israel's deliberate implementation of an effective humanitarian response, which leads to the killing of Palestinian civilians.

Oxfam called for "urgent measures to be taken, including an immediate and permanent ceasefire through which Israel allows a full and unrestricted humanitarian response, and for Israel to pay the bill for the reconstruction of water and sanitation infrastructure."

The Israeli occupation forces have continued their aggression against the Gaza Strip, by land, sea and air, since October 7, 2023, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 38,848 citizens, the majority of whom are women and children, and the injury of more than 89,459 others, in an infinite toll, as the toll is still incomplete. Thousands of victims were buried under the rubble, in addition to unprecedented destruction of infrastructure, homes, buildings and facilities.