The Extent of the Damage

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has caused catastrophic damage to the region’s water and sanitation systems. A significant portion of the water network, estimated at 1,700 kilometers, lies in ruins, leaving countless people without access to clean water and adequate sanitation. This widespread destruction has created a humanitarian emergency, impacting both northern and southern Gaza.

northern Gaza: A Critical Water shortage

The devastation in northern Gaza is particularly acute. Israeli attacks have rendered nearly all water wells unusable. With approximately 700,000 people having returned to the area, the lack of functional water infrastructure poses a severe threat to public health. The destruction of rooftop storage tanks has left many homes without access to water, even those structurally intact. this situation mirrors a humanitarian crisis.

Southern Gaza: A Mirrored Disaster

Rafah, in southern Gaza, reflects the widespread destruction. Over 90% of wells and reservoirs have sustained significant damage, drastically reducing water production to less than 5% of pre-conflict levels. A grim reality: only 2 out of 35 water wells remain operational.This critical shortage exacerbates the already dire humanitarian situation.

Infrastructure Collapse: A Staggering Scale

Estimates indicate that over 80% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been severely damaged or destroyed. This includes major wastewater treatment plants,numerous pumping stations,a large percentage of desalination plants,and a substantial number of municipal wells. The scale of this destruction is unprecedented.

“now that the pumps have ceased, we have hardly begun to understand the magnitude of the destruction of the water and sanitation infrastructure of Gaza,”

Clémence Lagouardat, Oxfam Intermón Humanitarian Coordinator in Gaza

The majority of these facilities are either completely destroyed or non-functional, leading to catastrophic hygiene and health conditions.

A Looming Public Health Catastrophe

The lack of potable water, combined with overflowing wastewater, has led to a surge in infectious diseases. The World Health Association (WHO) reports that 88% of environmental samples in Gaza show polio contamination, posing an imminent risk of outbreak. The increase in diarrhea and respiratory infections further intensifies the already overwhelming health crisis.

“Despite the increase in aid from Alto El Fuego,Israel continues to prevent the critical articles from arriving to begin to repair the huge structural damage caused by their air attacks. This includes pipes that are desperately needed to repair water and sanitation networks, and equipment as generators to operate wells,”

Clémence Lagouardat

The continued obstruction of essential repair materials further complicates the crisis, hindering efforts to restore vital water and sanitation services. The situation necessitates immediate and substantial international intervention.

Interview with Dr.Layla Mahfouz, Water and Sanitation Specialist

Senior Editor, World-Today-News: Dr. Mahfouz, thank you for joining us today. to start, could you summarize the current state of Gaza’s water infrastructure and its significance to the region?

Dr. Layla Mahfouz: Thank you for having me. Currently, Gaza is facing an unprecedented crisis in water and sanitation. The ongoing conflict has severely damaged over 1,700 kilometers of the water network, leaving roughly 2 million residents without reliable access to clean water. This destruction has created a dual humanitarian emergency,deeply affecting both the northern and southern parts of Gaza. Access to potable water is essential to human survival and health—it’s a crisis of immense proportions and global concern.

Senior Editor, World-Today-News: You mentioned the extent of destruction. What challenges are specific to northern Gaza?

Dr.Layla Mahfouz: northern Gaza is dealing with a critical water shortage. The attacks have rendered most water wells unusable, and the considerable return of nearly 700,000 people to the area exacerbates the situation. With rooftop storage tanks also destroyed, people are living without vital water resources, even in structurally intact homes. This creates a severe public health risk, mirroring a desperate humanitarian crisis where clean water by and large is absent.

Senior Editor, World-Today-News: How does the situation in southern Gaza differ, and what implications does it bring?

Dr. Layla Mahfouz: In southern Gaza, especially rafah, the scenario is grim. Over 90% of wells and reservoirs have been damaged,reducing water production to less than 5% of pre-conflict levels. Currently, only two out of thirty-five water wells are operational. This critical shortage severely worsens the humanitarian conditions, leading to increased competition and desperation for water amidst a backdrop of destruction.

Senior Editor, World-Today-News: The article mentions a staggering scale of infrastructure collapse. Can you elaborate on this?

Dr. Layla Mahfouz: we’re looking at an overwhelming scale of damage. Over 80% of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been destroyed,including key wastewater treatment plants,numerous pumping stations,desalination plants,and a significant number of municipal wells. This inflicts catastrophic hygiene and health conditions, blocking any immediate return to pre-conflict normalcy. The destruction extends beyond current perceptions, with the full scope yet to be comprehended.

Senior Editor, World-Today-News: How has the public health situation evolved in Gaza due to the water crisis?

Dr. Layla Mahfouz: the lack of clean water and the proliferation of contaminated wastewater have led to heightened infectious diseases. The WHO reports a looming threat of polio, as 88% of the region’s environmental samples are contaminated. Diarrhea and respiratory infections have surged, intensifying the health crisis. The critical inability to repair water and sanitation networks due to obstructions—restricted access to repair materials like pipes and generators—complicates efforts to restore essential services.

Senior Editor, World-Today-News: What do you believe the international community can do to mitigate this crisis?

Dr. Layla Mahfouz: Immediate and robust international intervention is critical. The first step should be the facilitation of essential repair materials and equipment. International aid must be increased substantially, with a strategic focus on restoring the water and sanitation network. Beyond material aid, diplomatic efforts are needed to ensure unimpeded access routes for humanitarian aid, emphasizing the urgent need to support Gaza’s struggling population and prevent further deterioration of living conditions.

The Path Forward

The conversation with Dr. Layla Mahfouz highlights the critical and immediate need for extensive international intervention in gaza’s water and sanitation crisis. The destruction of infrastructure has left millions without clean water, risking a public health catastrophe with lasting implications. International organizations, governments, and humanitarian agencies must collaborate to ensure urgent aid delivery and long-term infrastructure rehabilitation to stabilize the region’s humanitarian conditions and prevent future crises.