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Today's Paper | March 18, 2026

Published 18 Feb, 2025 01:16pm

Health catastrophe in Gaza worsening amid lack of water

Oxfam has said less than 7 per cent of pre-conflict water levels is available to Palestinians in north and south Gaza, heightening the spread of waterborne diseases and worsening a health catastrophe in the enclave, according to Al Jazeera.

In the North Gaza governorate, which includes Jabalia, Beit Hanoon and Beit Lahiya, the Israeli military has destroyed almost all water wells, while in the southern Rafah governorate, more than 90pc of water wells and reservoirs have been partially or completely damaged, and water production is less than five per cent of its capacity before the conflict, Oxfam said.

And despite efforts to resume water production following the ceasefire, the destruction of Gaza’s water pipelines means that 60pc of water is leaking into the ground rather than reaching people, it added.

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