“In the Gaza Strip, drinking water is running out after the water treatment plant and public water networks no longer function,” it said.
“People are now forced to use dirty water from wells, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. There has also been a power outage in Gaza since October 11, affecting water supplies,” he warned.
On social media, WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Ghebreyesus warned that the situation could be “deadly” for vulnerable populations and cause disease.
Drinking water is also running low at the UN base in the southern Gaza Strip, where UNRWA has relocated its operations. “Thousands of people sought refuge there after Israel warned residents to leave their homes in the northern part of the Gaza Strip,” he said.
“Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in the last 12 hours alone. The exodus continues as people move to the southern part of the Gaza Strip. In just one week, around 1 million people were displaced,” he notes.
“We now have to transport fuel to Gaza. Fuel is the only way for people to have clean water,” the commissioner said. “Otherwise, people will die from severe dehydration, including young children, the elderly and women. Water is now the last resort. I demand that the blockade on humanitarian aid be lifted now,” Lazzarini added.