Gaza, 14 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Across the Gaza Strip, more than 2 million people are at risk as the supply of potable water runs out, amid a blockade on humanitarian supplies.

“It has become a matter of life and death. It is a must; fuel needs to be delivered now into Gaza to make water available for 2 million people,” said Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General.

No humanitarian supplies have been allowed into Gaza for a week.

Clean water is running out in Gaza, after its water plant and public water networks have stopped working.

People are now forced to use dirty water from wells, increasing risks of waterborne diseases. Gaza has also been under an electricity blackout since October 11, impacting the water supply.

At the UN base in the southern Gaza Strip - where UNRWA has moved its operations - drinking water is also running out.

Thousands of people have sought refuge there after Israel issued a warning to residents demanding them to leave their homes in the northern parts of the Strip.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced within the past 12 hours. The exodus continues as people move to the southern parts of the Gaza Strip. Nearly 1 million people have been displaced within a week.

“We need to truck fuel into Gaza now. Fuel is the only way for people to have safe drinking water. If not, people will start dying of severe dehydration, among them young children, the elderly and women. Water is now the last remaining lifeline. I appeal for the siege on humanitarian assistance to be lifted now,” added Lazzarini.

Three water desalination plants, previously producing 21 million litres of drinking water per day, are no longer operating.

Photo: EPA