The Union of Gaza Strip Municipalities warned on Thursday of a looming humanitarian, health and environmental catastrophe as basic municipal services in Gaza near collapse.
Water, sewage and waste-management services are deteriorating due to restrictions imposed by Israel on the entry of industrial oils, diesel, spare parts, tires, pumps and other equipment needed to operate and maintain vital facilities, the union said in a statement.
It said shortages of industrial oils pose the most serious threat, as generators, water wells, sewage stations and municipal machinery depend on them directly, adding that their depletion could halt operations even if limited diesel supplies are available.
Municipalities and water authorities operate dozens of wells and stations to provide more than 140,000 cubic metres of water daily for domestic use and drinking.
They also pump around 60,000 cubic metres of sewage into the sea each day to prevent overflow into residential areas.
More than 3,000 cubic metres of waste are collected daily across Gaza, but continued shortages of fuel and spare parts could bring collection and transport operations to a halt, the union said.
It said such a halt would lead to waste accumulation in residential areas and shelters, increasing the risk of disease, epidemics, insects and rodents.
