The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' spokesman, Tommaso Della Longa, said on Friday that the water shortage in the Gaza Strip is leading to increased disease rates, especially among children.

At a weekly press conference at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Longa noted that the Palestinian Red Crescent Society had received hundreds of calls in the past 48 hours in Gaza, where Israel continues its genocide.

He added: "Our teams report that the impact of the chronic water shortage in Gaza has become increasingly severe over the past three days. This means that disease rates are on the rise, particularly among children."

He explained that doctors in Gaza are exhausted and that essential medical supplies are running out.

He pointed out that humanitarian aid has not reached Gaza for nearly three weeks due to Israel's closure of the crossings.

He stated that the Palestinian Red Crescent's ambulance service had been severely affected by the depletion of fuel supplies, with only 23 ambulances remaining out of the 53 operating before the crossings were closed due to the fuel shortage.

Longa called on the parties to protect civilians, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel, and to ensure safe and unhindered access for aid and essential services throughout the Strip.

He stressed the need to open all existing border crossings to ensure a sustainable and expanded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including medical supplies, food, and fuel.