Gaza: Soaring summer temperatures and water shortages are worsening conditions in war-torn Gaza and increasing dehydration among the territory's population, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency, temperatures in Gaza are soaring above 40°C (104°F), exacerbating an already desperate situation. The agency highlighted the issue on the US social media company X, emphasizing the severe impact of the extreme heat coupled with very limited water availability, which is leading to increased dehydration.

UNRWA noted that power cuts and fuel shortages are leaving people with no relief from the extreme heat, prompting a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire. The warning comes as the besieged enclave endures an intense heatwave, with temperatures hovering in the high 30s to low 40s Celsius (86-104°F). Inside makeshift tents covered with plastic sheets, the heat becomes even more unbearable, trapping heat and blocking airflow, forcing many displaced families to abandon their shelters during the hottest hours of the day despite the dangers outside.

After more than 22 months of relentless airstrikes and mass displacement, the people of Gaza remain trapped between scorching weather and the devastation of war. Persistent power outages, a shortage of clean water, and collapsing infrastructure are further increasing the risk of dehydration and other heat-related illnesses across the territory.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal war in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, and resulting in the deaths of more than 61,700 Palestinians. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.