Gaza faces health and water crisis as epidemic risks rise

The Gaza Strip is facing a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by a collapsing healthcare system and a catastrophic water shortage. The World Health Organization has warned of an impending health disaster as the rainy season and winter approach. The organization noted that the risk of epidemics, particularly those spread through contaminated water or air, is increasing among hundreds of thousands of displaced people living in overcrowded camps with minimal protection.

Simultaneously, the Gaza Municipality reported a 70% deficit in daily water needs in Gaza City. While approximately 100,000 cubic meters are required daily, only about 30,000 cubic meters are available. This shortage is attributed to the destruction of 72 major water wells, damaged pumping stations, and desalination plants, alongside a lack of fuel and essential maintenance supplies.

The crisis is compounded by a sanitation failure, with roughly 24,000 cubic meters of untreated wastewater flowing into the sea daily. Local officials emphasize that the lack of fuel and spare parts prevents the operation of generators and the repair of critical infrastructure, threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents, especially children and the elderly.