Israeli forces have destroyed nearly all the water wells in northern Gaza and the lack of water is making the near-famine conditions across Gaza worse as Palestinians struggle to access clean drinking water.

Footage shared online and verified by Al Jazeera, shows a stampede and crowding among the displaced people at UNRWA schools trying to get drinking water on a daily basis.

“See how people suffer from lack of water and the spread of sewage, shelter and other challenges, including lack of food and aid,” one of the displaced people said.

“I came for several days trying to get water but wasn’t successful,” said an elderly woman. “We were displaced from Beit Hanoon after we lost our homes and now in Jabalia camp, we beg for water.”

One woman said, “the Israelis destroyed not only our homes but water wells too […] we cannot feed our children and now we cannot find a drop of clean water. This is not life. Even animals have a better life compared to us. We are butchered, if not by the Israeli bombardment, by starvation and lack of water,” she added.

In addition to wells, Israeli strikes and incursions destroyed desalination units and its troops are blocking fuel. Some Palestinians have resorted to drinking seawater.