Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, urged Israel on Friday to allow clean water and fuel to flow into Gaza to activate the water network before it was “too late.”
“Every hour that passes with Israel preventing the provision of safe drinking water in the Gaza strip, in brazen breach of international law, puts Gazans at risk of dying of thirst and diseases related to the lack of safe drinking water.”
Arrojo-Agudo recalled that the deliberate blockade of vital supplies violates both international humanitarian and human rights law. He warned that this could lead to more civilian casualties already affected by the bombardment of Gaza.
He emphasised that the water and sanitation crisis would hit children first, especially those under five years of age, and then women.
These frequently invisible casualties of war are preventable, and Israel must prevent them.
According to the latest figures, at least 11,500 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 7,800 women and children, with more than 29,200 injured since Israel began bombarding the Gaza Strip in response to the October 7 Hamas attack.
Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli air and ground assaults. The Israeli siege has also deprived Gaza of fuel, electricity and water supplies.
Meanwhile, official figures put the Israeli death toll at around 1,200.
