Israel has been accused of using water as a "weapon of war" in the Gaza Strip, according to a report by Oxfam Intermón. The report reveals that Palestinians have access to only 4.74 liters of water daily, far below the minimum required for basic needs. This drastic reduction in water supply has led to a severe health crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the destruction of supply and sanitation facilities due to ongoing bombings.
The Israeli blockade and destruction of humanitarian infrastructure have caused a "catastrophic" impact on the health of thousands of Gazans. Lama Abdul Samad, the author of the report, highlights that the widespread destruction and significant restrictions on aid delivery are severely impacting access to water and other basic survival items. The situation has resulted in serious illnesses due to preventable infections, with one in four Gazans becoming seriously ill from easily preventable diseases.
The United Nations Satellite Center reports that 67.6% of Gaza's infrastructure was damaged or destroyed by June 3. In Gaza City, the devastation reached 88%, while in Rafah, the destruction rose to 31%. Damaged facilities include desalination plants, production wells, and storage tanks. Efforts to increase water production have been hindered by Israeli forces, with the desalination plant built by the United Arab Emirates in the Egyptian Sinai ceasing operations due to damage.
The humanitarian crisis has led to a surge in cases of diarrhea, hepatitis A, and dysentery. According to the World Health Organization, there is a growing concern about a potential cholera outbreak in the enclave after more than four decades without any cases. The most serious problems arise for children, with authorities recording a significant increase in diarrhea cases among children under five years of age.
In January, the International Court of Justice demanded that Israel ensure the unhindered arrival of humanitarian aid and services in Gaza. However, Oxfam states that Israel has not provided a significant humanitarian response. The Israeli army announced in early July that it had begun supplying power to a UN-run desalination plant in Khan Younis, but the overall situation remains dire.
In a related development, a federal appeals court in San Francisco rejected a lawsuit filed by Palestinian human rights activists accusing the Biden administration of complicity in genocide in Gaza. The court upheld the decision to dismiss the lawsuit, noting that the case raises political questions related to foreign affairs, which are beyond the court's jurisdiction.
The lawsuit, filed by Defense for Children International-Palestine and Al-Haq, along with many Gazans and Palestinian-Americans, alleged that the United States was violating its obligations to prevent genocide. Despite evidence showing the severe impact of the Israeli military siege on Gaza, the court concluded that the claims raised a foreign policy dispute that should be addressed by the legislative and executive branches.
Since the start of the aggression on Gaza, the United States has provided Israel with strong military, intelligence, and diplomatic support. The Israeli newspaper Maariv revealed that advanced American-made bombs were used in recent bombings, resulting in the deaths of many Palestinians, including children and women. The ongoing conflict has led to the martyrdom of more than 38,000 Palestinians and the injury of 88,000 others, with significant destruction of residential units and hospitals.
The International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan has requested arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant for their responsibility for "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" in Gaza. Despite international calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with severe scarcity of food, water, and medicine.
