Palestinian water sites hit 250+ times in five years, new report finds

New research tracks more than 250 attacks on Palestinian water sources over the past five years, detailing a disturbing pattern of damage to drinking water, irrigation and sanitation sites in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The investigation notes that at least 90 water and sanitation facilities were hit or made inaccessible between January 2024 and mid-2025, with bombs, dogs, poison and heavy machinery among the reported methods. The impact is visible in communities struggling to access clean water, intensifying a public health crisis in densely populated areas. In February 2024, reports describe Palestinians collecting water near a hospital in Gaza when fatalities occurred, and in April an airstrike near Gaza City damaged sanitation infrastructure installed through EU funding. The analysis emphasizes that nearly all water and sanitation systems in Gaza have been damaged or become unusable due to military operations and restrictions, compounding daily hardships for residents who depend on these lifelines. Researchers warn that such targeting of civilian water supplies may violate international law and represent a pattern of crimes against humanity, highlighting water as a tool of displacement and control in the conflict. Activists and UN experts call for safeguards and accountability to prevent further degradation of this essential resource.

Cover image source: Israel Arrests 4 After Jewish Extremist Attack in West Bank 🔗

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