In the heart of Gaza, a mother's quest for water becomes a stark symbol of a worsening health crisis. Ibtisam Al-Helou's daily journey through shattered neighborhoods, in search of fresh water, is a microcosm of the broader struggle faced by the entire population. The Mediterranean Sea, just a few steps away, offers no respite from the water scarcity that plagues Gaza City.
What makes this situation particularly dire is the impact on the region's youngest residents. Al-Helou's children, among the nine she cares for, once enjoyed the luxury of washing three times a day in the summer heat. Now, they are fortunate to do so once a week. The sea, which once provided a refreshing escape, has become a source of potential harm. Swimming in the Mediterranean can lead to skin infections, itching, and allergies, requiring costly treatment that costs 50 shekels per child.
The health implications of this water crisis are far-reaching. As families grapple with finding enough water for basic hygiene, health officials sound the alarm. Untreated sewage from hundreds of thousands of cesspits is seeping into Gaza's coastal aquifer, the region's sole natural source of fresh water. This contamination poses a grave risk to the health of the population, with children particularly vulnerable to diarrhoea and skin infections.
The water crisis extends beyond the immediate thirst it causes. It has transformed daily routines and heightened health concerns. Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports that acute respiratory infections account for 46% of reported illnesses, skin diseases for 31%, and acute watery diarrhoea for 21%. These statistics underscore the dire need for improved water access and sanitation.
The situation is further exacerbated by the damage to Gaza's water infrastructure. Prior to the conflict, Gaza had approximately 320 water wells, but fewer than 100 remain operational. The water distribution network and desalination capacity have been significantly affected by Israeli attacks, according to Palestinian officials. The Israeli military, however, denies deliberately targeting essential infrastructure.
The US-brokered ceasefire in October, while halting major fighting, has not prevented ongoing attacks by Israel, which claims to target Hamas and other militants. Despite the ceasefire, water trucks remain a vital lifeline for many, but aid agencies emphasize that they cannot replace a robust public water system. The struggle for water continues, with families queuing for hours beside battered water trucks, receiving only a few litres.
The crisis extends beyond the immediate water shortages, posing long-term consequences for Gaza's water infrastructure. Palestinian officials warn that the ongoing crisis deepens the damage to water systems, potentially leaving lasting implications for decades. The situation has reached a critical point, with more than half of Gaza's population, around 1.3 million people, having access to less than six litres of drinking water a day.
The collapse of sanitation systems has further compounded the crisis. Over 300,000 cesspits and soak pits are discharging untreated wastewater into the coastal aquifer, the territory's only natural freshwater source. This has led to a situation where Gaza has effectively lost control of its water sources, marking the worst crisis the region has ever faced.
