The Union of Municipalities in the Gaza Strip warned on Thursday of an impending humanitarian, health and environmental disaster resulting from the continued Israeli restrictions on the entry of essential operating and maintenance supplies.
According to the union, the shortage of industrial oils has become the most immediate threat to municipal operations. The oils are required to run electricity generators, water wells, sewage pumping stations and municipal vehicles.
Officials warned that the depletion of these supplies could force vital facilities to shut down even if limited quantities of fuel remain available.
The union said municipalities and water authorities currently operate dozens of facilities to provide more than 140,000 cubic meters of water daily for household and drinking use.
At the same time, approximately 60,000 cubic meters of wastewater are pumped into the sea each day to prevent flooding and sewage accumulation inside residential areas.
Municipal crews also collect and transport more than 3,000 cubic meters of waste daily across the Gaza Strip.
However, officials warned that continued restrictions on industrial oils, diesel, spare parts, vehicle tires and pumps could halt waste collection and sanitation operations entirely, raising the risk of disease outbreaks and severe environmental contamination.
The union held the Israeli occupiers fully responsible for the situation and its humanitarian and environmental consequences.
It called on the United Nations and international organizations to intervene urgently and facilitate the entry of operating supplies needed to prevent a collapse of essential services.
