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Two soldiers wearing green tactical gear and black combat boots set explosives on a pump at the Canadian Reservoir in Rafah, southern Gaza. Shortly afterwards, an explosion sent flames and smoke into the sky, severely damaging the critical water facility. An Israeli soldier reportedly shared a now-deleted video on Instagram that captured the incident, which CNN later geolocated as occurring between July 26 and July 27. Satellite imagery confirmed the destruction, with visible damage to nearby buildings.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Canadian reservoir can hold 3 million liters of water and was a key component in supplying water to 150,000 people in Rafah province before the war broke out on October 7. When asked about the video, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that their forces had been active in the Tal al-Sultan area for several weeks, focusing on dismantling terrorist infrastructure while minimizing damage to civilian buildings. The IDF also mentioned that the incident was under review by the Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism, an independent body responsible for investigating unusual incidents in war.
The destruction of Gaza’s water supply has exacerbated civilian suffering, increased the risk of disease and prompted accusations of be opposed to Israel is using water supplies as a weapon of war. The destruction of Canada’s reservoirs violates international humanitarian law, said Mark Zeitoun, director general of the Geneva Water Centre, which specializes in water diplomacy.
Before the explosion, Rafah Mayor Ahmed Sofi noted that the Israeli siege had depleted the fuel and electricity needed to operate the water system, leading to severe shortages. Sofi described Rafah as a city of devastation, hunger and thirst. Gaza’s water supply has dropped dramatically, with Oxfam reporting that residents received only 4.74 liters of water per person per day in July, far below the emergency minimum.
The summer heat has exacerbated the water crisis for Palestinians, who already face food shortages and frequent displacement. The Israeli Meteorological Agency recorded the hottest June on record, adding further pressure to the population. The United Nations reports that Israel’s war effort has significantly reduced the supply of fuel, chlorine and basic parts needed for Gaza’s water and sanitation facilities. About 70% of Gaza’s water and sanitation facilities have been destroyed or damaged.
Israel’s COGAT agency, which is responsible for approving aid, says it is allowing unrestricted access to water tanks and fuel into Gaza and has been assisting with repairing water infrastructure. However, many Palestinians have reported to CNN that their journeys to get water are dangerous and risk Israeli attacks. Some have witnessed violence at public water points. point People fight over scarce resources. In makeshift camps, sewage overflows into the streets and children drink from puddles.
The Gaza Ministry of Health has recorded more than 1.7 million cases of infectious diseases, including a recent case of polio that paralyzed a 10-month-old child. WHO has found polio in sewage samples, putting thousands of people at risk. The ongoing conflict has hampered vaccination efforts, leading WHO to call for a halt to fighting to allow vaccination campaigns to take place.
Alaa Riyad, a widower from Beit Lahia, described his daily struggle to find water, often infested with bugs. Since his wife and 18 relatives were killed in Israeli bombing, he has taken on the role of both father and mother to his children, enduring the harsh conditions.
The Gaza conflict has killed more than 40,200 Palestinians and injured about 93,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The war began on Oct. 7 with a Hamas attack on southern Israel that left about 1,200 dead and 250 hostages.
Gaza’s water crisis has been going on for decades. In 2017, UNICEF announced that 95% of the water in Gaza’s only aquifer was unfit for drinking due to over-exploitation and pollution. In 2021, most of Gaza’s water comes from groundwater wells, with the rest supplied by desalination plants and the Israel National Water Company. However, municipal wells and desalination plants have been operating at limited capacity since early summer.
Wim Zwijnenburg, an expert on the environmental impact of conflict at the Dutch peace organization PAX, told CNN that the damage to Gaza’s water infrastructure is the worst he has seen in more than a decade. Water systems, including pumping stations, wells and pipes, have been destroyed, leaving residents with no choice but to drink unsafe water.
Saaed Al-Madhoun, emergency response manager at CARE International, fled his home in Gaza City during the conflict and now struggles to provide water for his family in Deir al-Balah. He described the dire conditions there, where his family survives on just 20 liters of water a day, far below the minimum needed to survive.
The ongoing Israeli attacks have further strained Gaza’s already crippled water infrastructure, with disastrous consequences for the local population.
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