1.2mn Palestinians at risk of severe shortage of drinking water

Khan Younis Municipality in Gaza has affirmed that 1.2 million Palestinians and displaced people are at risk of severe shortages of drinking water due to the halt in the supply of essential fuel needed to operate water and sewage facilities and pumps, after the Israeli occupation forces prevented the entry of these supplies to the UN agencies and organizations operating in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the emergency committee in Khan Younis warned that halting these supplies would lead to environmental and health disasters, including the failure of sewage plants, which could result in sewage surging onto the streets and outbreaks of diseases and epidemics among Palestinians.

The municipality said it is extremely perturbed by the stoppage of garbage collection from neighborhoods and displaced camps due to fuel shortages, which will lead to the spread of deadly diseases among Palestinians.
It called on the international community and human rights organizations to urgently intervene and put an end to the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, which has devastated all sectors of life.

The municipality also urged donors and UN human rights organizations to intensify pressure on Israel to resume the operations of local entities that supply fuel to water wells, desalination plants, sewage pumping stations, and waste collection trucks.

The statement stressed the importance of delivering the essential machinery, spare parts and equipment to prevent the service system from crumbling after it has been dramatically affected due to the ongoing Israeli war on the Strip.

For the 407th day, Israel continues its bloody war on the Gaza Strip, amid the large-scale targeting of all essential aspects of life and infrastructure, through destroying water and sewage networks, bombing of municipality premises and local authorities, as well as assassinating their leaders.