UNRWA: "Gaza Is Running out of Water"

The UNRWA has warned of a health crisis in Gaza due to water scarcity and contaminated sources, posing further risks to civilians already under relentless bombardment.

The UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini said: "Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life."

On Monday, a single water line was opened in the South of Gaza Strip, providing limited water to only half of the population of Khan Yunis, which is nearly 100,000 people, according to UNRWA. However, this action doesn't fully address the urgent water needs in other parts of Khan Yunis, the Middle Area and Rafah. The opening of the water line served only 14 percent of the population in the Strip.

 To operate water and desalination plants in Gaza, 600,000 litres of fuel are required per day. UNRWA has moved some of its existing, but very limited, fuel supplies inside Gaza on October 16.

“Water is needed to ensure sanitary conditions on inpatient wards, in operation rooms, and in emergency departments. It is essential for the prevention of hospital associated infections and for the prevention of outbreaks in hospitals,” the WHO said in a statement.

It's worth mentioning that the Gaza Strip normally gets its water supplies from a combination of sources, including a pipeline from Israel, desalination plants on the Mediterranean Sea and wells.