In the midst of ongoing conflict and destruction, the people of Gaza are dealing with a severe sanitation crisis, plagued by raw sewage, garbage accumulation, and swarms of flies and mosquitoes. Ismail Zayda, a resident of Gaza City, reported that water supplies have been cut off for nine months, leaving them in dire need.

The relentless bombardment launched by Israel in response to October 7 attacks has now extended into its eighth month, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the "unspeakable" living conditions faced by Palestinians, as the Israeli military campaign has pulverized neighborhoods, damaged health infrastructure, and depleted essential supplies like food, water, and fuel.

Despite a US-backed ceasefire plan being approved by the United Nations Security Council, neither side has accepted it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained his intention to continue the conflict until Hamas is destroyed and the remaining hostages are freed, casting doubts on a swift resolution.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with displaced families in Deir al Balah reporting overcrowded shelters and a range of health issues, including hepatitis A, skin diseases, and respiratory illnesses. Access to clean water is critically limited, with some displacement sites providing less than the international minimum requirement of three liters per person per day. A safe water supply is vital to prevent the spread of diseases among the population.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on Gaza's water and sanitation facilities, with more than two-thirds of them destroyed or damaged. Factors such as insecurity, access impediments, and lack of power and fuel to operate generators have further exacerbated the situation. As a result, the most vulnerable are forced to collect water from unreliable sources in inadequate containers, all while lacking basic hygiene items like soap.

With the summer heat intensifying, the sanitation crisis is expected to worsen. Insects, attracted by piles of waste, have become a prevalent problem, and residents resort to burning garbage to keep them at bay. The treatment of sewage is a persistent challenge, with damage to infrastructure and a shortage of fuel hampering efforts.

Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme, recently described how a million people in Rafah have been pushed out into a highly congested area along the beach, enduring extreme heat and wading through rivers of sewage. Although some fuel supplies have helped reduce the level of accumulated wastewater in certain areas, the lack of a steady flow of fuel poses an ongoing risk of sewage overflow into neighboring regions.

As local authorities in Gaza face the monumental task of repairing over 4 kilometers of damaged water pipelines, sporadic efforts are being made, albeit with limited resources. The restoration of wells in Khan Younis, Deir Al Balah, and Nuseirat by the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross shows some progress. However, the scale of the damage and the ongoing conflict make it nearly impossible for local authorities to handle the situation alone.

With no end in sight to the protracted and bloody conflict, urgent international assistance is required to address the worsening sanitation crisis in Gaza. The lives and well-being of hundreds of thousands of people hang in the balance as they endure dire living conditions and struggle to access essential resources.