UN issues Gaza water warning — RT World News
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that at least 70% of the Gaza Strip population will be without access to drinking water by the end of Wednesday. The agency blamed Israel’s fuel blockade for the crisis, which led to the collapse of the water infrastructure in the Strip.
Only 23,000 liters of fuel that Israel allowed UNRWA on Wednesday can be used “To transport the next little aid through Egypt.” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. The agency needs about 160,000 liters per day “Essential humanitarian operations” He added, such as maintaining water facilities.
“Major services, including water desalination and sewage treatment plants and hospitals, have stopped working.” Lazzarini said.
It is appalling that fuel continues to be used as a weapon of war.
Lazzarini said that supplying only trucks would lead to more loss of life, calling on Israel to do so “Allow immediately to deliver the required amount of fuel as required under international humanitarian law.”
Israel imposed a comprehensive blockade on Gaza after the Hamas incursion on October 7, which killed an estimated 1,200 people. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to destroy the Palestinian movement, launching air and artillery strikes on the Strip and sending ground forces earlier this month.
Lazzarini also called for a ceasefire, noting that more than 60 UNRWA facilities in the Strip had been bombed – most of them in southern Gaza, which Israel said would be a bombardment. “security” For civilians.
The government in West Jerusalem has strongly rejected any ceasefire or fuel delivery to Gaza. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced “Diesel = weapon” On Wednesday, while Transportation Minister Miri Regev wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that “Fuel for UNRWA is fuel for Hamas.”
UNRWA was established in 1949 to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees “Waiting for a just and lasting solution to their plight.” It operates in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
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