• Gaza faces a severe water crisis alongside a worsening famine scenario.
• Most residents now have access to only 3-5 litres of water per day.
• A new pipeline, funded by the UAE, is planned but may take weeks to connect.
• Queuing for water has become a daily struggle, often involving children.
• Recent incidents highlight the dangers of crowded aid distribution efforts.

Gaza is now enduring a critical water crisis as residents struggle to obtain basic essentials amid ongoing conflict. The situation has been exacerbated by the complete destruction of much of the area's water and sanitation infrastructure, with aid groups highlighting the dire need for clean water alongside a looming famine scenario. "Even as global attention has turned to starvation in Gaza, the water crisis is just as severe," reports Reuters and TRT.

Those fortunate enough to find water are resorting to brackish sources polluted by sewage and chemicals, leading to widespread illness. The average consumption of water in Gaza has plummeted to just 3-5 litres per day, starkly contrasted with Israel's average of 247 litres, according to the humanitarian policy lead for Oxfam in the region. As aid becomes more critical, "preventable and treatable water-borne diseases" are spreading quickly, with reported rates rising by nearly 150% in recent months, according to Dawn and Reuters.

Accessing water has turned into a grueling daily chore, with many Gazans spending hours in long queues. This situation leads to conflicts as they jostle for positions, and children are often tasked with carrying water back to their families, which, as observed by Munther Salem, means "the children have lost their childhood," according to TRT and Dawn.

As the struggle continues, aid agencies are advocating for urgent action. A new water pipeline from the United Arab Emirates is on the horizon to supply 600,000 people from a desalination plant in Egypt, though its connectivity may take weeks. UNICEF warns that "starvation and dehydration are no longer side effects of this conflict," but rather "very much frontline effects," as noted by Reuters and Dawn.

Additionally, a recent tragic incident underscored the dangers of the aid situation in Gaza, where 20 individuals were killed when an aid truck overturned while navigating dangerous routes crowded with desperate civilians. Hamas has accused Israel of forcing drivers through unsafe paths to exacerbate scarcity, illustrating the chaotic and perilous environment surrounding aid distribution efforts. This worrying trend not only highlights the need for improved humanitarian access but reflects the growing desperation of the populace, as reported by Dawn.