Water Crisis in Gaza: Is Israel to Blame?

A recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has sparked controversy, accusing Israel of "acts of genocide" by restricting water supplies in Gaza. The report found that between October 2023 and September 2024, Israeli authorities limited water access to less than half of what the World Health Organization (WHO) considers necessary for survival in emergency situations. This has led to thousands of deaths and the spread of various diseases among the over 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza. Israel strongly denies these allegations, calling the HRW report "full of lies. " However, the accusations are serious. According to WHO, people need at least 50 to 100 liters (13 to 26 gallons) of water daily for basic needs. In emergencies, this can drop to 15 to 20 liters for drinking and washing. Yet, Palestinians in Gaza often can't get even that much clean water. HRW claims Israel's actions violate international laws against genocide. They argue that these water restrictions are causing slow deaths, including among newborns who can't be properly fed due to malnourishment and dehydration. These babies often drink formula mixed with dirty water.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which started in October 2023, has been devastating. Nearly 45, 000 Palestinians have been killed, and 106, 000 more injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. HRW believes Israel is deliberately obstructing water supplies, citing blocked humanitarian aid, restricted water flow through pipelines, and massive damage to water infrastructure due to Israeli strikes. In January, the World Bank and Ipsos reported that nearly 60% of Gaza's water and sanitation infrastructure was damaged or destroyed. By August, this had risen to 84%. In July, Israeli soldiers destroyed a key water reservoir in Rafah, southern Gaza. Israel's foreign ministry denies these claims, stating that they have facilitated the continuous flow of water and humanitarian aid into Gaza. They also maintain that water infrastructure, including four water pipelines and water pumping and desalination facilities, remain operational. This isn't the first time Israel has faced such accusations. In November 2023, the UN special rapporteur on safe drinking water and sanitation warned that Israel's actions were putting Gazans at risk of dying from thirst and related diseases. The water crisis has led to a rise in diseases like polio and bacterial infections, such as diarrhea. One Gaza resident told HRW that drinking from an unclean well made him and his children sick. The HRW report comes as negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continue, showing some positive signs but also facing hurdles.

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