Doha: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has issued a warning about the severe water crisis facing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The collapse of water supply systems, exacerbated by Israeli bombings of infrastructure and a prolonged ban on fuel imports since last March, has left the population on the brink of a dire situation.

According to Qatar News Agency, UNRWA highlighted that only 40 percent of the drinking water production facilities in Gaza are operational. The region is facing a potential man-made drought, with the agency’s ability to provide water reduced to half of what it was during a previous truce period. This decline is attributed to ongoing bombings, displacement orders, and the ban on fuel entry into Gaza for over 100 days.

The statement from UNRWA detailed the challenges, noting that water extraction from wells has ceased due to fuel shortages. Many wells are situated in dangerous areas, making access difficult, while broken pipelines result in leaks, and water tankers fail to reach their destinations. In light of these challenges, UNRWA has called for an immediate ceasefire to address the water crisis in the Gaza Strip.