Israel cuts off 70% of Gaza's water supply.

The Israeli army halted the flow of water from Israeli company Mekorot to the Gaza Strip, effectively cutting off 70 percent of the Palestinian enclave’s total water supply. According to Gaza municipality spokesperson Hosni Mehanna, the disconnection affects the main pipeline located in Shujayea neighbourhood in eastern Gaza City, where Israeli forces have been conducting a military assault since Thursday. “The reasons behind the interruption remain unclear, but we are coordinating with international organizations to inspect whether the pipeline was damaged due to the heavy Israeli bombardment in the area,” Mehanna said. The stoppage may have either been caused by direct military activity or from a deliberate political decision by Israeli authorities, he said. “Regardless of the cause, the consequences are dire. If the flow of water from Mekorot is not restored soon, Gaza will face a full-blown water crisis.” The Gaza Strip – already suffering from a chronic shortage of clean water, infrastructure collapse, and contaminated groundwater – is now facing the risk of widespread thirst, dehydration, and outbreak of disease.