Gaza Herald – Palestinian engineers in Gaza are struggling to repair the water system, which has been severely damaged during Israel’s ongoing military operations on the Strip, creating a serious public health risk.
The Israeli genocide launched in October 2023 destroyed large portions of Gaza’s water infrastructure, including pipelines, pumping stations, reservoirs, and water wells. The United Nations estimates that about 70% of Gaza City’s water supply network is disrupted, leaving tens of thousands without reliable access to clean water.
Repair efforts are hampered by Israel’s military control and blockade. Critical components and machinery are classified as “dual-use” items and blocked from entry, while parts of the water system lie east of the so-called “Yellow Line,” under direct Israeli control, preventing maintenance of essential lines like the Mekorot supply network.
Municipal teams are forced to scavenge for materials among rubble, recycling whatever they can find. Engineers warn that these shortages have made the repair process slow and unreliable, prolonging the water crisis.
Doctors report a sharp rise in dehydration, kidney issues, and waterborne diseases due to contaminated supplies, which contain high levels of salts, nitrates, phosphorus, and sulphur. The collapse of sewage treatment and piped systems has further polluted Gaza’s aquifers and coastal waters, forcing residents to rely on hazardous water sources.
Partial openings of crossings such as Rafah and Kerem Abu Salem have provided limited access for humanitarian cases, but the overall blockade and restrictions continue to prevent large-scale repair and relief, exacerbating the health and environmental crisis for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
