Oxfam releases report on weaponisation of water in Gaza

On the 18th of July, Oxfam published a new report on the topic of water in situations of armed conflict, entitled  “Water War Crimes: How Israel has weaponised water in its military campaign in Gaza”. The report aims to present a detailed overview of the use of water as a weapon in the conflict in Gaza, highlighting violations of international law  while supporting the call for an  independent investigation into potential violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law by the Government of Israel and Palestinian armed groups.

The report's authors, Lama Abdul Samad, Martin Butcher and Bushra Khalidi focus on instances of water deprivation, but also point to military activity that is indiscriminate and disproportionate, involving restrictions on water, electricity, fuel deliveries and the entry of essential supplies intended for the civilian population of Gaza.  

Among the key facts reported are the estimate that since the start of the Israeli offensive, the inhabitants of Gaza have had access to a mere 4.74 litres per person per day, whioch represents   a 94% reduction in water availability compared to the situation immediately prior to the outbreak of hostilities (as compared with the internationally recognised minimum standard of 15 liters of water per person per day in emergency situations. This enables drinking and cooking but excludes water for personal and domestic hygiene). This situation is the result of a succession of factors. Firstly, since October 2023, the entry into Gaza of essential water and sanitation equipment (desalination units and connection pipes) has, according to Oxfam, been deliberately and abusively delayed. Secondly, the water supply provided by the three Israeli Mekorot lines has only supplied 22% of Gaza's total supply capacity. Towns such as Khan Younis and Gaza City were completely cut off for 81% and 95% of the time respectively.

By May 26, 2024, water production in the whole of the Gaza Strip had fallen by 84% due to the destruction of water infrastructure and restrictions on the entry of fuel, electricity and spare parts for water and sanitation into the Gaza Strip. Thus, according to Oxfam, by June 3, 2024, Gaza City had lost almost all its water production capacity, with 88% of its wells, 100% of its brackish water desalination plants and 100% of its seawater desalination plants having been damaged or destroyed and taken out of service. To complete the picture, the Israeli army destroyed the two main water quality analysis laboratories (the first in November 2023 and the second on March 21, 2024) inside Gaza, and restricted the entry of water analysis equipment offered by humanitarian NGOs. Finally, to continue this logic, by June 3, 2024, the Israeli army had destroyed 100% of all water and sanitation warehouses in Gaza City and Khan Younis, and 70% of all wastewater pumps. By the end of June 2024, 100% of all wastewater treatment plants in Gaza had been destroyed or severely damaged, making them impossible to operate.

Oxfam concludes that there is a deliberate policy on the part of the Israeli government to attack the water and sanitation infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, describing the situation as a “deadly health catastrophe”.

The health consequences of this situation are dramatic: “cases of water-borne diseases have exploded; more than a quarter of the population has fallen seriously ill due to water and sanitation-related diseases”. As reported by  Radio France, the polio virus has been detected in several wastewater samples, following tests carried out by UNICEF with the support of an analysis laboratory in Israel.