Gaza City: The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned Wednesday that Gazans face a severe water crisis threatening them with death from thirst, as Israeli strikes and fuel restrictions have crippled the enclave's water infrastructure.

According to Anadolu Agency, in a statement posted on Facebook, UNRWA said families across Gaza are 'on the brink of dying from thirst' as water systems collapse due to ongoing Israeli attacks and a fuel blockade that has been in place since March. 'Only 40% of drinking water production facilities are still operating,' the agency mentioned, emphasizing that 'Gaza is on the edge of a man-made drought.'

The organization highlighted that its ability to supply water has reduced to half the volume provided during the last ceasefire, which was abandoned by Israel in mid-March. This decline is attributed to continued Israeli bombardment, forced displacement orders, and the ongoing fuel delivery ban by Israeli authorities, which has persisted for more than 100 days.

UNRWA elaborated on the dire situation, stating, 'Extracting water from wells has stopped due to fuel shortages, others are located in dangerous areas that are difficult to access, pipelines are broken and leaking, and water tankers often do not arrive.' The agency called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Last month, municipalities across the enclave warned they were unable to maintain basic services, including operating water wells, because of fuel shortages. The acute water crisis has been exacerbated by the destruction or inoperability of 719 water wells since October 2023, as reported by the Gaza government media office.

Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, described Israel's destruction of Gaza's water infrastructure and denial of access to clean water as a 'silent yet deadly bomb.'

Since March 2, when Israel closed border crossings, Gaza has faced a worsening humanitarian disaster. The blockade has halted the entry of food, medicine, humanitarian aid, and fuel, while Israel has intensified its offensive across the besieged enclave.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has continued its offensive against Gaza since October 2023, resulting in the death of more than 56,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children.