Gaza City – The already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating as its water desalination infrastructure crumbles under ongoing conflict, leaving civilians with severely limited access to potable water. One of Gaza’s only operational water desalination plants, a critical source of clean water for the population, has been bombed, exacerbating the existing water scarcity crisis.
Prior to the recent escalation, Gaza’s water infrastructure was already struggling to meet the needs of its population due to years of blockade and conflict. The destruction of the desalination plant has pushed the situation to a critical point, with residents facing increasingly severe thirst and heightened risks of waterborne diseases. UNICEF has also been forced to close 21 malnutrition treatment centers in the Gaza Strip, further endangering the vulnerable population.
The destruction of essential infrastructure raises concerns about potential long-term health and humanitarian consequences for the civilian population in Gaza, especially women and children. With limited access to clean water, the risk of dehydration, waterborne illnesses, and other health complications is drastically increasing. The international community has expressed growing concern over the situation, calling for immediate action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and ensure access to essential resources for Gaza’s population. Further, the closure of UNICEF malnutrition treatment centers further amplifies the dire situation, signaling that this is already a public health crisis.