Israel war, live: last hour of the conflict

Virtually all desalination and purifying plants of the Gaza Strip are “completely out of service”, which has caused 90 % of the population living in water insecurity, the Gazatí Ministry of Health warned on Wednesday. In a statement, the ministry, controlled by Hamas, warned that 90 % of desalination plants and 80 % of the treatment plants are “completely out of service”, which is “increasing the percentage of seawater pollution.” Thus, more than 25 % of the water samples collected by the health authorities of the Gaza Strip are contaminated, which is causing the spread of multiple diseases. The lack of water is notable especially for the displaced population that suffers “catastrophic conditions”, and “the arrival of summer and the increase in temperatures increase the need for water, especially drinking water” throughout the strip, the ministry said. On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that half a million Gazatis are on the verge of famine, “in a situation of catastrophic hunger, acute malnutrition, disease and death”, for the “deliberate block” of Israel at the entrance of humanitarian aid to Gaza.