Lack of water worsens misery in besieged Gaza as Israeli airstrikes continue

By ISABEL DEBRE and WAFAA SHURAFA
Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — In the besieged Gaza Strip, 2.3 million people don’t have access to clean, running water because of Israel’s decision to cut off water and electricity to the enclave while pounding it with airstrikes. Israel’s chokehold has seen taps run dry across the territory. When water does trickle from pipes, it lasts no more than 30 minutes each day and is so contaminated with sewage and seawater that it’s undrinkable, residents say. The deprivation has plunged Gaza’s population deeper into misery as Israel’s bombardment intensifies one week after Hamas fighters surged across Israel’s separation fence, killing 1,300 Israelis and abducting dozens. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have crushed hundreds of buildings in Gaza and killed 2,200 Palestinians.