In Gaza, a severe water crisis has emerged as a direct consequence of ongoing conflict, leaving many residents with little to no access to safe drinking water. The situation has forced people to rely on brackish water from agricultural wells, a development highlighted in a press release from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and reported by regional news agencies. The scarcity of clean water comes as essential infrastructure continues to be damaged or shut down, including networks for water distribution, desalination facilities, and water purification plants.
UN experts emphasize that the disruption to water systems has created a dangerous situation. Without reliable access to clean water, the population faces heightened risk of waterborne diseases as people resort to unsafe sources to meet daily needs. The UN has stressed that the health implications extend beyond immediate thirst, affecting sanitation and disease prevention in a region already strained by conflict.
As of October 12, the UN reported that most residents in the Gaza Strip lacked access to drinking water. The damage to critical water infrastructure has been extensive: six water wells, three pumping stations, a water reservoir, and a desalination plant have been disrupted, impacting the water supply of more than 1,100,000 people. Compounding the crisis, authorities cut off water supplies on October 8, intensifying stress on households, schools, and healthcare facilities in the area. UNICEF has noted that some people have begun drinking seawater, which is highly saline and further contaminated by untreated sewage discharged in large volumes daily. Such contamination imposes a grave threat to public health and freshwater resource management in the region.
There are reports that Palestinians were told to evacuate towards southern Gaza within a limited timeframe, a circumstance that adds to the strain on families already coping with scarce water resources and disrupted services. The evolving situation has prompted calls for immediate humanitarian relief, rapid repairs to essential water infrastructure, and clear guidance on safe water access for those remaining in affected communities.
Analyses from humanitarian observers indicate that the water crisis in Gaza is not just a matter of drought or scarcity. It is a consequence of ongoing conflict that has compromised the region’s ability to treat, store, and deliver potable water. Agencies emphasize the need for a coordinated response to restore water networks, rehabilitate damaged facilities, and prevent the spread of disease while ensuring that vulnerable populations receive safe water, sanitation, and hygiene support in the near term. As the situation evolves, international organizations continue to monitor water quality, supply levels, and the health impacts on residents, aiming to secure a more stable water future even amid ongoing instability.