Gaza water crisis worsens

Gaza is facing an unprecedented collapse of its water and sanitation systems, according to aid agencies, UN officials, and Palestinian health authorities. About 80% of the water distribution network and most desalination capacity were damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks, leaving fewer than 100 of 320 pre-war wells operational. More than half of Gaza's population (1.3 million people) have access to less than six litres of drinking water per day, down from 85 litres before the war. The lack of clean water has led to outbreaks of skin diseases, acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, and chickenpox. Untreated sewage from over 300,000 cesspits is seeping into the coastal aquifer, the only natural freshwater source. A US-brokered ceasefire in October halted major fighting but did not end attacks by Israel, which says it targets Hamas militants. Cognitive Abilities Test, the Israeli military body, stated it is working with international agencies to improve water supply.