Water is being used as a weapon of war in Gaza

As Israeli forces continue to rain down bombs over the Strip, they are also essentially blocking people’s access to water by cutting off Gaza’s electricity and fuel—resources that are essential to operate desalination plants, water pumps, and other infrastructure. The ceasefire must immediately be restored, and Israeli authorities must allow electricity to flow into Gaza, along with the entry of aid including fuel and water and sanitation supplies.

“For those who have endured relentless bombings, the suffering is made worse by a water crisis—many are forced to drink unsafe water, while others don't have enough,” said Paula Navarro, water and sanitation coordinator for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Gaza.

The water crisis in Gaza was already dire from Israeli cuts to electricity and water supply, and the destruction of infrastructure during the war. The situation worsened after Israeli authorities halted aid from entering Gaza on March 2, and then cut electricity on March 9. At the main desalination plant in Khan Younis, output has decreased by 85 percent—from 17 million to 2.5 million liters per day.

If fuel runs out, the remaining water system will completely collapse, cutting off people’s access to this vital resource and leading to inhumane consequences for the millions of Palestinians who remain inside Gaza. 

Health consequences of lack of water

Along with injuries and deaths from the ongoing fighting and bombing, people face the serious consequences of lack of water, including its impact on their living conditions and health. In primary health care centers in Al-Mawasi and Khan Younis, the three most common conditions treated by MSF—jaundice, diarrhea, and scabies—are directly caused by the inadequate provision of safe water. From January to February 2025, MSF teams conducted over 82,000 primary health care consultations; almost a fifth were related to conditions linked with lack of water and hygiene.

“The sheer number of children with skin conditions is a direct result of Gaza’s destruction and blockade,” said Chiara Lodi, MSF medical team coordinator in Gaza. “In addition to treating adults and children who have severe war injuries, our staff are treating an increasing number of children with entirely preventable skin diseases like scabies, which is not only uncomfortable, but in severe cases, [causes them to] scratch their skin until it bleeds, which can lead to infection. This is a result of children being unable to bathe, spreading scabies and other infections and leaving lasting scars.”

Israeli authorities’ restrictions are making water provision nearly impossible

Israel had already blocked all entry of aid into Gaza even before its forces’ missile strikes shattered the two-month ceasefire last week. As a result, humanitarian efforts to restore Gaza’s water system remain severely obstructed and delayed by Israel authorities’ “dual-use” pre-clearance system. Most water and sanitation supplies require pre-approval, including chlorine, essential spare parts for water desalination units, generators, borehole pumps, and water tanks.

From January 2024 to early March 2025, of the 1,700 water and sanitation items requested by MSF under the dual-use system, only 28 percent were approved by Israeli authorities. Many items are in bureaucratic limbo, with responses from authorities averaging up to 60 days—some exceeding 200. 

Even approved supplies can still be turned away at border crossings. In November 2024, Israeli authorities approved an MSF desalination unit after an 85-day wait. However, despite weekly attempts since February 5, the unit still hasn’t entered Gaza, as the trucks carrying it continue to be turned away at the border.

“Restrictions by Israeli authorities have made it nearly impossible to restore a functioning water system,” said Navarro. “Water production relies on energy, yet new generators over 30 kilowatts are not permitted to enter. We’re forced to use ‘Frankenstein’ generators—salvaging parts from one to fix another.”

Attempts to fill the water gap in Gaza

Water distribution is an important part of MSF’s response in Gaza. In January 2025 alone, MSF distributed 500,000 liters of desalinated water per day at more than 64 water points across Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, Rafah, and Deir al-Balah. By mid-March 2025, MSF produced over 2 million liters of clean water and distributed over 36 million liters. Upon the implementation of the ceasefire, our teams started water distribution in northern Gaza, including Jabalia camp, where aid was blocked for months.

In Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, MSF has been implementing water and sanitation activities in camp shelters through a partnership with the Agriculture Development Association (PARC). This includes building latrines, distributing hygiene kits, and providing water treatment units. We also equipped a camp hosting 400 people with disabilities with accessible latrines and showers.

MSF continues to call on Israeli authorities to lift its inhumane siege on Gaza, uphold international humanitarian law and its responsibilities as an occupying power, and to ensure the immediate and unhindered access of aid into the Strip.