Israel’s military destroyed more than 30 water wells in Gaza this month, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave already ravaged by ongoing crises
Salama Shurab, head of the water networks at Khan Younis municipality, reported that the wells were destroyed by Israeli forces between July 18-27 in the southern towns of Rafah and Khan Younis. Despite the allegations, the Israeli military has not responded.
Humanitarian Impact:
The destruction of the wells has exacerbated the struggle for basic necessities, such as drinking water. Many residents rely on salty tap water from Gaza’s only aquifer, contaminated with seawater and sewage. Gaza City has lost nearly all its water production capacity, with 88% of its wells and all desalination plants damaged or destroyed, according to Oxfam.
Israeli Response:
COGAT, the Israeli military branch managing humanitarian activities, stated it has coordinated water line repairs with international organizations, completing dozens of repairs in the last month. Efforts are ongoing to repair power at a desalination plant and construct additional water lines. However, COGAT noted that attacks by Hamas and other militants on civilian infrastructures complicate the delivery of aid.
Conflict Background:
The war began on October 7, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel and took 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities. The prolonged conflict has left much of Gaza in ruins, with functioning hospitals scarce.
Local Sentiment:
Residents of Gaza express deep frustration and desperation. Youssef El-Shenawy described the daily struggle to secure water, while Fayez Abu Toh called for an end to the conflict, highlighting the destruction of non-threatening infrastructure as worsening the humanitarian situation.
