Weakened by hunger, many Gazans trudge over a destroyed landscape each day to transport all their drinking and washing water – a painful load that is still far below the levels needed to keep people healthy.
Aid organizations say the water crisis is equally serious as the famine in Gaza, where a global hunger monitor claims a famine scenario is developing following 22 months of a devastating Israeli military operation.
The majority of the water comes from wells in a brackish aquifer that has been further contaminated by sewage and chemicals that seep through the debris, spreading hepatitis and diarrhea. However, some water comes from tiny desalination units operated by relief organizations.
The Israeli military organization in charge of organizing help for the Israeli-occupied territories is called Cogat.
