Gaza: More than 700 Palestinians, mostly children, have been killed by Israeli army fire while collecting water since October 2023, local authorities said on Monday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Gaza's government media office released a statement accusing Israeli forces of systematically using water as a weapon of war. The statement highlighted 112 reported massacres where Israeli forces targeted Gazans collecting water, resulting in over 700 deaths, predominantly among children.
On a specific incident last Sunday, Israeli fire resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people, including eight children, in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza as they waited to collect water. The media office further reported the deliberate destruction of over 720 water wells by the Israeli army, severely affecting access to clean water for more than 1.25 million Palestinians in the area.
The statement also pointed to the obstruction by the Israeli army of 12 million liters of fuel monthly, vital for operating water wells and essential services, causing a complete breakdown of water and sewage systems and facilitating the spread of diseases, particularly among children. The media office urged international organizations to intervene to halt Israel's weaponization of water and to ensure the provision of necessary resources to restore vital services.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been exacerbated by the closure of crossings since March 2, blocking food, medical, and humanitarian aid, and pushing the region towards famine. The Israeli army's offensive since October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 58,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and widespread destruction and disease.
Internationally, there have been legal actions against Israeli leaders, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its actions in the enclave.