**Gaza Faces Severe Water Crisis as Israeli Military Offensive Escalates**

Chronic water shortages in Gaza are worsening amid Israel's expanding military campaign, resulting in increased displacement and fuel shortages that are crippling desalination and hygiene facilities. The United Nations’ humanitarian office has warned that without immediate fuel deliveries, a complete shutdown of water and sanitation services could occur by the end of the week.

Israel’s recent strategic actions, which included imposing a blockade in early March and cutting off power lines to main desalination plants, have drastically reduced the water supply. The blockade, initially intended to pressure Hamas for the release of hostages, is only now being partially eased to allow basic supplies into Gaza. However, fuel remains excluded from the list of permitted items, though some drinking water has been sent via UN lorries.

Parents in Gaza have reported that their children have been forced to drink salty water as a result of the war. Doctors have seen a rise in serious kidney problems related to the consumption of this contaminated water. Raed al-Zaharneh, a father from Khan Younis, explained that despite knowing the water is unsafe, they have no alternative but to consume it, leading to stomach pains and diarrhoea.

The situation is dire for desalination plants. UNICEF’s Jonathan Crickx noted that one southern Gaza facility has reduced production by 80% due to electricity cuts, although it still manages to produce thousands of litres of water daily. The pressing issue is the necessity of fuel not only to produce water but also to transport it to various communities – a task made even more challenging by dwindling fuel supplies.

The UN’s Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) reports significant disruptions in water and sanitation services resulting from sustained fuel shortages. In northern Gaza, a complete absence of fuel and inadequate supply deliveries have led to reduced operating hours for water wells, with anticipated complete shutdowns. Southern Gaza faces similar challenges – no fuel deliveries and a need for 140,000 litres per week to maintain operations have forced facilities to cut their operating hours by over 20%.

UN workers persistently attempt to access fuel from reserves coordinated with Israeli authorities, especially in militarily active areas like Rafah, but these requests have consistently been denied. No new fuel has entered Gaza since the blockade on March 2, exacerbating the crisis.

Dr Ghazi al-Yazji, a kidney specialist at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, highlighted an increase in patients, particularly children, presenting with conditions linked to saline and contaminated water. Even before the conflict, water quality issues in Gaza significantly affected kidney health, with Dr al-Yazji’s department currently caring for 220 dialysis patients. The worsening water situation has already claimed several lives.