Access to clean water in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with many Palestinians now struggling to survive on less than five liters of water per day. The ongoing conflict has turned the search for water into a daily struggle, as the destruction of Gaza’s water infrastructure has left over two million people facing constant hardship.
Shadi Yassin, a displaced Palestinian in central Gaza, shared his concerns with Al Jazeera: “We need water for showers, dishes, and cleaning. We also need drinking water, but it’s not easy to afford. The amount of water available here is insufficient.”
The deliberate and systematic destruction of water systems has left Gaza’s population without reliable access to this essential resource. In addition to the water crisis, recent Israeli airstrikes on two schools sheltering displaced people resulted in the deaths of at least 15 Palestinians, with 30 others wounded.
In a broader regional conflict, Israel has also carried out airstrikes on Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, killing at least nine people and bombing critical infrastructure. These strikes come after Israel reportedly intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, prompting Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree to declare readiness for a prolonged conflict in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration’s Middle East aid envoy, Lisa Grande, has called on Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, demanding an end to civilian evacuation orders, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes, and ensuring that civilian infrastructure is better protected.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s offensive on Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 45,129 Palestinians, with over 107,000 more wounded. On the same day, at least 1,139 Israelis were killed in Hamas-led attacks, and more than 200 people were taken captive.
