People in Gaza Facing Water Shortage Amid Fighting
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iStock/Thinkstock(JERUSALEM) — Thursday marked another day of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.
The cease-fire last week gave Palestinians only a short respite to try to put their lives back in order after a month of fighting. One major challenge they are facing is coping with a water shortage.
Taking a shower or drinking a glass of water is far from easy in Gaza, where officials say they can only pump half the amount of water needed because of structural damage done by Israeli airstrikes. The Palestinian Water Authority says more than a dozen water wells and six purification plants have been damaged.
Cut power lines make pumping water erratic, and distribution is difficult with nearly 20 miles of underground broken sewage pipes.
Repairs began during the cease-fire, but renewed fighting means the severe water shortage could lead to a serious health risk for Gazans.
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