Warnings of an impending thirst crisis in Gaza as summer approaches

Gaza City and large areas of the Strip face a real threat of reaching a severe thirst stage, amid the worsening water crisis and the reliance of residents on limited and unstable sources. Official sources in the Gaza Municipality reported that citizens are currently forced to rely on what remains of desalination plants and groundwater wells that have not been affected by seawater intrusion, especially in the eastern areas and parts of the north.

The spokesperson for the Gaza Municipality, Husni Muhanna, confirmed that these available sources cover only a small fraction of the actual needs of both residents and displaced persons. He explained that the systematic destruction of water networks and main wells has led to a sharp decline in the operational capacity of vital facilities, making water security a difficult daily task.

Field data indicate that some desalination plants in Gaza, Khan Yunis, and Deir al-Balah are still operating at their minimum capacity, but they face significant obstacles related to a lack of fuel and spare parts. This severe shortage of essential supplies and power generators directly impacts the regularity of water pumping operations and its distribution to densely populated residential areas.

Regarding Gaza City, Muhanna revealed that the water crisis, at its peak, exceeded 70% of the population who do not receive water regularly through the dilapidated networks. This reality has pushed the municipality to seek alternative and temporary solutions for water distribution, despite the immense pressures and the difficult humanitarian situation imposed by the continued siege and destruction.

With the approach of summer and rising temperatures, fears of an unprecedented escalation of the crisis are increasing due to rising water demand. Officials warned that if the situation remains as it is without urgent intervention, it will inevitably lead to a widespread thirst catastrophe, threatening public health and increasing the suffering of displaced and resident families.

The Gaza Municipality stressed the need for international action to immediately open the crossings to allow the entry of technical equipment and fuel necessary for the maintenance and operation of wells. It also called for the provision of alternative energy sources to ensure the continuation of a minimum level of basic services, emphasizing that large areas of the city have become completely isolated from the water network due to the total destruction of infrastructure.

The continuation of the current situation with rising temperatures portends a dangerous exacerbation of the crisis, which could lead to a widespread thirst crisis.