Water crisis in Gaza has become a matter of life and death: UN
Water is now a matter of life and death for people in the Gaza Strip after Israel cut off water supplies, the UN refugee agency for Palestinians said.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Saturday (October 14) that more than twenty lakh people are now at extreme risk as water runs out.
"It has become a matter of life and death," said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. It is imperative that electricity be supplied to Gaza now to provide water for two million people.'
No humanitarian supplies have been allowed into Gaza for a week, the agency said.
The Gaza Strip is running out of clean water as its water plants and public water networks stop working. Palestinians are now forced to use dirty well water, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
Incidentally, Israel has cut off electricity in Gaza since last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has described as "impossible" an order for Gaza residents to evacuate ahead of an Israeli ground offensive. Around 10 lakh people have been displaced there since last week.
Lazzarini added, "We need to get electricity to Gaza now." Electricity is the only way of safe drinking water for people. If not, people will begin to die of severe dehydration, with young children, the elderly and women at greater risk. Water is now the last remaining lifeline. I appeal for the immediate lifting of the blockade in the interests of humanitarian aid.'
Last Saturday, the Palestinian armed group Hamas launched a surprise multi-pronged attack on Israel, killing at least 1,300 Israelis.
Israel then dropped thousands of bombs on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 2,215 Palestinians.
UNRWA also said its shelters in Gaza are no longer safe.
The organization said, "There are rules of war. Civilians, hospitals, schools, clinics and UN premises cannot be targeted. UNRWA is not abandoning any efforts to negotiate with the parties to the conflict to meet their obligations under international law to protect civilians, including those taking refuge in shelters.
The organization also said, 'This war should not be an exception. The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, including UN buildings, applies beyond this conflict.'
Al-Jazeera reported that various organizations and countries are making efforts to provide humanitarian aid to 2 million people, including hundreds of thousands of children, who urgently need it.