Gaza Herald – Gaza is facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with living conditions collapsing across all sectors, Palestinian civil defense officials warned on Thursday, as severe water shortages and continued Israeli restrictions push the enclave closer to total breakdown.
Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said Gaza has effectively become unlivable, citing the near-total absence of shelter, the constant threat of bombardment in residential areas, and the collapse of the healthcare system. Hospitals, he said, are no longer able to meet even the most basic needs of the wounded, sick, and displaced.
Basal stressed that the situation demands immediate international intervention, warning that delays are costing lives daily, particularly among children, the injured, and displaced families exposed to harsh winter conditions without adequate heating or protection.
The crisis has been compounded by severe cold waves, a critical shortage of heating supplies, and continued Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian, medical, and relief materials. The ongoing closure of the Rafah crossing has further prevented patients and wounded civilians from traveling abroad for life-saving treatment.
Meanwhile, Gaza City Municipality confirmed the city is facing an acute water crisis after the main Mekorot water line, previously supplying around 70% of Gaza City’s water needs, was damaged during Israeli military operations east of the city. The municipality said nearly 85% of water wells in Gaza City have been destroyed, leaving residents with access to less than 10% of pre-war water levels.
Municipal officials warned that restoring water services urgently requires construction materials, spare parts, pumps, generators, fuel, and heavy machinery, most of which were destroyed during the genocide. With Israel’s continued blockade and destruction of infrastructure, Gaza’s 2.4 million residents, including 1.5 million displaced people, now face what officials describe as a man-made humanitarian disaster with no immediate relief in sight.
