MADRID, 21 (EUROPA PRESS)
The NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned Thursday that thousands of Palestinians have fallen ill due to a lack of water because of the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, where the population lacks the necessary products to treat water.
"As part of their genocidal campaign, the Israeli authorities are denying Palestinians basic necessities of life, such as food, water, and healthcare," MSF said in a statement, specifying that, after 22 months of "restricted access to essential water infrastructure," the amount of water available in Gaza is "totally insufficient."
In this regard, he stated that some organizations, such as MSF, could increase the amount of drinking water available in Gaza if Israel lifts the blockades.
Since June 2024, MSF has obtained only one authorization for every ten import requests for water desalination supplies. "In addition to being insufficient, the water supply is entirely dependent on tanker trucks. And given that 86 percent of Gaza is under forced displacement orders by the Israeli army, attempting to reach people in these areas with these tankers is extremely dangerous," the document states.
Furthermore, the organization has denounced "the lack of adequate storage methods in homes further exacerbates the problems faced by the population."
MSF has urged Israel to allow the large-scale import of "essential equipment for water supply and distribution." "The Israeli army must stop the destruction of water infrastructure and allow the immediate repair of damaged water systems to ensure the population has access to water," it said, while stressing that water and other essential goods "must not be used as weapons of war."
INCREASE IN DISEASES
MSF emphasized that this shortage of drinking water is leading to an increase in disease. It explained that "in the last month alone, MSF medical teams have provided more than 1,000 consultations for acute watery diarrhea per week."
Furthermore, the lack of water for hygiene has also caused the population to suffer from skin diseases such as scabies. "Clean drinking water is also essential for hospitals, to reduce the spread of infections and keep patients hydrated so their bodies can heal from their wounds and illnesses," he explained.
"There is very little water for so many people," said Mohammed Nsier, MSF's water and sanitation manager in Gaza. "The amount we can provide is very small compared to their needs, and the conditions are extremely difficult."
