The Union of Gaza Strip Municipalities warned on Thursday of a looming humanitarian, health and environmental catastrophe as basic municipal services in Gaza near collapse, Anadolu reports.
Water, sewage and waste-management services are deteriorating due to restrictions imposed by Israel on the entry of industrial oils, diesel, spare parts, tires, pumps and other equipment needed to operate and maintain vital facilities, the union said in a statement.
It said shortages of industrial oils pose the most serious threat, as generators, water wells, sewage stations and municipal machinery depend on them directly, adding that their depletion could halt operations even if limited diesel supplies are available.
Municipalities and water authorities operate dozens of wells and stations to provide more than 140,000 cubic meters of water daily for domestic use and drinking.
They also pump around 60,000 cubic meters of sewage into the sea each day to prevent overflow into residential areas.
