Local authorities in the Gaza Strip say Israel has deliberately interrupted the operation of two Mekorot water pipelines east of Gaza City and cut electricity to the Deir el-Balah desalination facility, effectively bringing desalinated water production in the region to a complete stop.

Recent data provided by the United Nations, which condemned the closure of the desalination facility, supports these assertions by the Gaza’s Government Media Office.

The media office noted that Israeli occupation forces have devastated over 90 percent of water and sanitation infrastructure, obstructed technical teams from accessing Gaza to restore damaged infrastructure, and attacked workers while they were performing their humanitarian duties.

It added that over 1.7 million instances of water-related illnesses have been documented, alongside the tragic loss of more than 50 Palestinian lives, predominantly among children, as a result of dehydration and malnutrition.

The Gaza media office then appealed to the international community and United Nations agencies to take prompt and decisive measures to halt the crime of water deprivation.

The Israeli army launched a surprise aerial campaign on the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing hundreds of people, injuring many others, and shattering the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas and the deal on the exchange of Israeli captives from Palestinian prisoners.

The Gaza media office updated its death toll since October 2023 to over 61,700. It said thousands of people missing under the rubble across the territory are presumed dead.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk