ACCESS to water in Gaza has been slashed by 94 per cent, according to a new report that unmasks its weaponisation by Israel against Palestinians. 

The new Oxfam report found Israeli military attacks have damaged or destroyed five water and sanitation infrastructure sites every three days since October 7.

All wastewater treatment plants have been destroyed, exposing civilians to contaminated water and putting them at serious risk of illness.

The analysis found that more than a quarter of Gaza’s population have fallen gravely ill from water and sanitation-related diseases.

Both the main water quality testing laboratories have been destroyed along with 70 per cent of all sewage pumps, meanwhile entry of Oxfam water testing equipment has been restricted.

Israel’s cutting of external water supplies, destruction of water facilities and deliberate obstruction of aid has left each person with less than a single toilet flush worth of water per day on average.

This amounts to 4.74 litres — less than a third of the minimum for basic survival in emergencies.

Water production has dropped by 84 per cent due to the destruction of infrastructure, and restrictions on the entry of spare parts and fuel. Supply from Israeli state-owned water company Mekorot was reduced by 78 per cent.  

Gaza City has lost nearly all its water production capacity, with 88 per cent of its wells and 100 per cent of its desalination plants damaged or destroyed. 

Halima Begum, Oxfam GB chief executive, said: “Tragically, this is yet more proof of the horrors being inflicted on the people of Gaza by the Israeli government, which is using starvation and, as this report shows, the systematic deprivation of water as a weapon of war.

“To any reasonable party, there can be little doubt that this represents a clear violation of international law.

“These appalling conditions are causing significant risk of dehydration and creating a breeding ground for the spread of disease, putting many more lives at risk.” 

Oxfam is urging the new Labour government to take steps towards helping secure a ceasefire by halting all arms sales to Israel in the face of the ongoing atrocities.

Monther Shoblak, general manager of The Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, responsible for water and sanitation in Gaza and with whom Oxfam works, said: “My colleagues and I have been living through a nightmare these past nine months, but we still feel it’s our responsibility and duty to ensure everybody in Gaza is getting their minimum right of clean drinking water. 

“It’s been very difficult, but we are determined to keep trying — even when we witness our colleagues being targeted and killed while undertaking their work.”