Gaza Faces Severe Water Shortage Amid Escalating Crisis

According to Al Jazeera, the search for water has become a "daily struggle" for Palestinians, as water in Gaza has turned into a "weapon of war." As the conflict persists, access to clean water has become increasingly scarce, with individuals now forced to survive on "less than five liters a day."

Al Jazeera reported that the intentional and systematic destruction of Gaza's water infrastructure has left over two million people in a continuous state of hardship.

Shadi Yassin, a displaced Palestinian from central Gaza, told Al Jazeera, "We need water for basic needs like showers, dishes, and cleaning. We also require drinking water, but it's hard for us to afford it. The available water is insufficient."

Meanwhile, at least 15 Palestinians have died and 30 others have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on two schools housing displaced individuals in Gaza on Thursday.

Israel has also targeted Houthi sites in Yemen, resulting in the deaths of at least nine people following the bombing of two power stations in Sanaa, along with strikes on two ports and an oil facility in Hodeidah, local media reported. These attacks occurred after the Israeli military claimed to have intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, according to Al Jazeera.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the Yemeni group is prepared for an extended conflict with the "Israeli enemy" in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.

According to a report by the Times of Israel, Lisa Grande, the Biden administration's Middle East aid envoy, reportedly made requests to Israel concerning the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip during a phone call with General Ghassan Alian, Israel's military liaison to the Palestinians and the head of COGAT.

According to a report by the Times of Israel, she also called for Israel to cancel all evacuation orders for civilians, permit Palestinians who have been displaced to return to their homes, and present a detailed plan to minimize damage to civilian infrastructure.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel's military actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 45,129 Palestinians and left 107,338 wounded. On the same day, Hamas-led attacks killed at least 1,139 people in Israel, and more than 200 individuals were taken captive, according to Al Jazeera.