Doha: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the severe water shortage in the Gaza Strip has reached critical levels, with only one in 10 people currently able to access safe drinking water, or 90% of the population.

According to Qatar News Agency, UNICEF official in Gaza, Rosalia Poulin, reported that 600,000 people regained access to drinking water in November 2024, but it was cut off again.

UN agencies estimate that 1.8 million people, more than half of whom are children, urgently need water, sanitation, and health assistance. They stress that the situation has deteriorated further after the decision to cut off electricity to the Strip, disrupting vital water desalination operations.