UN says 70% of Gaza’s water production disrupted as Israel blocks ‘dual-use’ repair item

The UN on Wednesday said 70% of Gaza City’s water production is disrupted due to Israeli impediments linked to repairs of a key supply line, as Israel blocks the entry of a required so-called “dual-use” item.

“Our partners working on water, sanitation, and hygiene warned that approximately 70% of Gaza City’s total water production is currently disrupted due to challenges related to repairing the Mekorot water supply line,” UN spokesperson Farhan Haq, citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said at a news conference.

He noted that the line “comes from Israel into Gaza and is located east of the so-called ‘Yellow Line,’ where Israeli forces remain deployed.”

Haq said an assessment of the damaged pipeline “identified the need for a section of steel pipe that is not available in Gaza and is restricted from entry into Gaza as a ‘dual-use’ item.”

Saying that Israel on Sunday denied another request by the UN’s partner to repair a well that is one of the “important” water sources for the enclave, Haq said, “Our partners are looking at alternative water sources and scaling up water trucking to ensure continued access to safe water.”

“OCHA reiterates the need for expanded access, including to critical items deemed as ‘dual use,’ without which improvements to the most basic of services, such as access to safe water, will not happen,” he said.