Israeli Decision to Cut Water Supply to Gaza Strip Affects Over 610,000 People –UN

The decision of the Israeli government to shut down water supply to the Gaza Strip has already affected over 610,000 people, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Deputy Spokesperson, Jens Laerke, has said.

Laerke added that the decision was expected to lead to a sharp drinking water shortage in the region,

On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, with supplies of food, gas, and energy to the area to be stopped in response to the Hamas attacks.

“Israeli authorities have decided to cut off the water supply to Gaza.

“This decision affects over 610,000 people in Gaza and will result in a severe shortage of drinking water,” Laerke told a briefing.

He added that Israel’s decision to cut the electricity supply to the Gaza Strip leaves the Gaza Power Plant the only source of electricity in the region which could “run out of fuel within days.”

On Saturday, the Palestinian movement Hamas launched a surprise large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Israel formally entered a state of war with Hamas after the attacks.

Both Israel and Palestine have so far reported hundreds of dead and thousands of injured as a result of the escalation. (Sputnik/NAN)