Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Gaza Faces Severe Water Crisis Amid Collapsing Infrastructure
In Gaza, a mother named Ibtisam Al-Helou struggles to find clean water for her family.
Despite living near the sea, she has to travel far to get water for drinking, cooking, and washing.
Many people in Gaza face the same problem.
The water and sanitation systems are breaking down, making it hard to find clean water.
Children often swim in the sea to cool off, but this can cause skin problems.
Health officials warn that the lack of clean water is making people sick.
Water trucks are a lifeline, but they can't replace the public water system.
The situation is very serious, and experts say it could take decades to fix.
Gaza faces a severe water crisis with collapsing water and sanitation systems.
Over 1.3 million people have access to less than six litres of drinking water daily.
Children often swim in the sea, leading to skin infections and allergies.
Untreated sewage is seeping into Gaza's coastal aquifer, the only natural freshwater source.
Health officials report high rates of acute respiratory infections, skin diseases, and diarrhoea.
- Who
- Residents of Gaza, including Ibtisam Al-Helou and her family
- What
- A severe water crisis due to collapsing water and sanitation systems
- When
- Ongoing, with worsening conditions post-war
- Where
- Gaza Strip
- Why
- Damage to infrastructure, untreated sewage seeping into the coastal aquifer, and reliance on damaged wells and trucked water
Israeli Military
Palestinian Officials
Infrastructure Damage
Israeli Military
The Israeli military denies deliberately attacking essential infrastructure like water wells and distribution networks.
Palestinian Officials
Palestinian officials claim that around 80% of Gaza's water distribution network and most desalination capacity have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks.
- Population Affected
- More than 1.3 million people
- Average Daily Water Consumption
- 4.3 litres per person (post-war)
- Pre-War Water Consumption
- 85 litres per person
- Operational Water Wells
- Fewer than 100 out of 320 pre-war
- Common Health Issues
- Acute respiratory infections, skin diseases, acute watery diarrhoea
- Chickenpox Cases
- At least 5,000 per week
- Untreated Wastewater Sources
- More than 300,000 cesspits and soak pits