Gaza's Thirst Crisis: 25,000 Cups of Water for an Entire City
2025 | Humanitarian Crisis
The Scale of the Crisis
The situation represents a severe violation of international humanitarian standards, with the World Health Organization recommending a minimum of 100 liters daily per person for basic needs, while Gazans now make do with a fraction of that amount amid ongoing challenges.
Residents wait for hours to collect limited water supplies
Current Water Availability
Gaza's water infrastructure has been systematically damaged, leaving the population with severely limited access to clean water:
Water Supply Breakdown
- Total daily water availability: 25,000 cups (approximately 5,000 liters)
- 15,000 cups from the Israeli "Mekorot" water line (unstable supply)
- 10,000 cups from local wells in accessible areas of central Gaza
- Pre-war comparison: Daily per capita water allocation was 26.8 liters in 2022
Infrastructure Damage
A BBC analysis of satellite imagery reveals the extent of the destruction to Gaza's water and sanitation systems:
Facilities Damaged
Over 50% of water and sanitation facilities damaged or destroyed
Treatment Plants
4 out of 6 wastewater treatment plants damaged or destroyed
Water Networks
100,000 linear meters of water networks destroyed
Municipal Wells
75% of municipal wells damaged
Health and Environmental Impact
The water crisis has created a public health catastrophe with far-reaching consequences:
| Health Issue | Impact | Vulnerable Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea-related diseases | Sharp increase across all regions | Children under 5 |
| Hepatitis A | Rising cases from contaminated water | Elderly population |
| Cholera risk | High risk in overcrowded southern areas | Displaced persons |
| Malnutrition | 440 Palestinians died from malnutrition | 147 children among fatalities |
Timeline of Water Crisis Development
Water and electricity cut to Gaza following hostilities
Main water maintenance warehouse destroyed in airstrike
All crossings into Gaza closed, blocking humanitarian aid
Gaza municipality reports only 25,000 cups of water available daily
Local Adaptation and Survival Strategies
Faced with unprecedented scarcity, Gazans have developed community-based solutions to survive:
Community Responses
- Cooperative wells: Residents pool resources to dig wells at increased cost ($5,000 each)
- Resource sharing: Families contribute 10 shekels every 3 days for 120 liters per family
- Severe rationing: Water must be carefully allocated between drinking, cooking, and hygiene
- Fuel shortages: Operational challenges due to restrictions on fuel imports
Local communities have developed cooperative water solutions
International Response
The international community has expressed growing concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation:
Global Reactions
- European Union considering new sanctions
- Germany urging return to negotiations
- United Nations condemning the "slaughter"
- UK describing actions as "reckless and appalling"
Conclusion: A Man-Made Humanitarian Catastrophe
Gaza's water crisis represents one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies in modern history. The situation has been exacerbated by systematic destruction of infrastructure, blockade of essential supplies, and ongoing operations that have prevented repair and maintenance of vital water systems.
International organizations have documented that the scale of destruction to water infrastructure exceeds military necessity and violates international humanitarian law. With over half of water facilities damaged or destroyed and the population receiving less than 25% of their basic water needs, Gaza faces not just immediate thirst but a public health catastrophe that will claim lives long after hostilities might end.
The world must act urgently to pressure for unfettered access for water infrastructure repair, fuel to operate remaining systems, and adequate humanitarian aid to prevent further loss of life from what has become a war on Gaza's most basic human needs.