Palestinians are facing an even larger humanitarian catastrophe after Israel vowed to cut off water and electricity supplies in the Gaza Strip as a response to the Hamas attacks.
“Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life,” said UN Chief for Palestine, Philippe Lazzarini, as reported by AP.
Water is essential for survival, and the lack of supply puts Palestinians at serious risk of dehydration, which can result in fatigue, as well as organ failure and death in those with health conditions.
“Water is needed to ensure sanitary conditions in inpatient wards, in operation rooms, and in emergency departments. It is essential for the prevention of hospital-associated infections and for the prevention of outbreaks in hospitals,” the World Health Organization said in a statement, AP reports.
Almost 700 people have died as a result of the Israeli airstrikes on Palestine, and close to 2.3 million people are currently without access to humanitarian aid.
According to the UN Secretary General’s spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, in addition to withholding food and medical supplies to enter Gaza, Israeli air raids have killed at least a dozen medical professionals and damaged numerous healthcare centers.
“Damage to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities has undermined services to more than 400,000 people,” Dujarric has said.
“The Gaza Power Plant is now the only source of electricity and could run out of fuel within days.”
After launching its retaliatory attack, Israel said that it would impose “a complete siege” on Palestine, BBC reported.
“No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed,” said Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, adding that “we are fighting animals and are acting accordingly.”
“What was in the past will no longer be in the future.”
Palestinian health authorities have urged the international community to call on Israel to restart power lines which Israel has refused.
