Over 53% of Water Facilities in Gaza Are Destroyed by Israeli Attacks
Since October 7, more than half of Gaza’s essential water facilities have been severely damaged or destroyed, leading to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Satellite analysis has revealed that 53 percent of Gaza’s 603 water facilities are no longer operational, with critical infrastructure in northern Gaza and Khan Younis sustaining the heaviest damage (Source: BBC). The destruction of these facilities and pipelines has plunged Gaza’s water system into disrepair, putting millions at risk of disease, thirst, and inadequate sanitation.
With four out of six wastewater treatment plants damaged or destroyed and the remaining two shuttered due to supply shortages, untreated sewage now spills into streets and displacement camps. UNICEF’s desalination plant in Deir al-Balah, a lifeline for fresh water, is running at only 30 percent capacity due to severe fuel shortages, further complicating the crisis.
To combat this devastating water scarcity, United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) has launched emergency water distribution efforts across Gaza since October 7, including in the severely affected northern parts of the Gaza Strip.
Despite Israel’s heavy siege and ongoing attacks, our team continues its work on the ground to reach our people, providing clean drinking water and supporting local facilities to ensure that families have access to safe water. UPA’s distributions are designed to address both immediate needs and prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, which have already surged across the entire Gaza Strip. To date, our team has been able to distribute over 13,542,500 liters of clean drinking water to Palestinian families.
UPA’s commitment to our people remains steadfast. We continue to provide urgent aid to address their most immediate needs. In these desperate times, UPA is on the ground to ensure that our people in Gaza can access life-sustaining resources, offering hope and resilience in the face of one of humanity’s darkest chapters.
What Israel Banned in Gaza Before October 7
Long before the current genocide in Gaza, Israel’s blockade and restrictions had imposed severe limitations on daily life, impacting everything from access to essential goods to fundamental freedoms.
Since 2007, the blockade has shaped nearly every facet of life in Gaza, restricting movement, commerce, education, and even the availability of basic materials and services. Here are some of the most critical items and freedoms that have been systematically denied to the people of Gaza under Israel’s blockade:
- Medical Supplies and Equipment
Hospitals and clinics in Gaza have long faced critical shortages of essential medical supplies, including medicines, surgical equipment, and basic healthcare tools. Restrictions have severely limited Gaza’s ability to import life-saving equipment, and access to specialized treatments outside Gaza was often denied. This left Gaza’s health sector under immense strain, unable to adequately treat chronic illnesses, emergency cases, or provide critical surgeries.
- Building Materials
Concrete, steel, and other construction materials necessary for rebuilding homes, schools, and infrastructure were heavily restricted. Despite periodic allowances, Israel imposed restrictions on what materials could enter Gaza, claiming that these supplies could be used for military purposes. As a result, rebuilding efforts were slow, leaving many families to live in damaged homes and affecting Gaza’s overall infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.
- Educational Materials and Technology
Essential educational supplies—like books, paper, lab equipment, and computers—were also restricted, hindering Gaza’s already fragile education system. Teachers and students alike faced a shortage of supplies, with Israel’s restrictions creating barriers to quality education, especially in technical fields where access to up-to-date equipment was crucial.
- Agricultural Inputs and Fishing Equipment
Gaza’s agriculture and fishing industries were severely affected, with restrictions placed on items like fertilizers, animal feed, and even fishing nets. These limitations prevented local farmers and fishermen from making a living and impacted Gaza’s food security. Fishing, once a mainstay of Gaza’s economy, was often restricted to a few miles off the coast, reducing fish availability and income for fishing families.
- Fuel and Electricity
Access to regular fuel and electricity shortages have always been a struggle in Gaza. Fuel restrictions affect everything from powering hospitals to water treatment plants, while electricity shortages meant families often went without power for up to 20 hours a day. The limited access to has also directly impacted Gaza’s clean water supply, as desalination and water treatment facilities depend on a consistent power supply to function.
- Movement of People and Goods
Freedom of movement, both in and out of Gaza, was heavily restricted. Palestinians require permits to enter Israel, often denied, even for medical emergencies or family reunifications. Gaza’s economy was further stifled by these restrictions, with most goods either unable to leave Gaza or permitted only in certain quantities and types, curtailing business opportunities and employment.
- Telecommunications and Internet Access
Gaza’s residents have always had limited access to internet and telecommunications infrastructure. Israel controls access to frequencies and hardware, preventing upgrades to high-speed networks leaving Gazans with limited bandwidth, which affects everything from education to healthcare, where options like telemedicine were affected. - Basic Food Items and Household Goods
Periodically, even basic food items, cleaning supplies, and household goods were restricted, leading to widespread shortages and higher prices. Goods that did make it into Gaza were often expensive due to scarcity, which made everyday essentials inaccessible to many families.
These conditions have only worsened due to the ongoing bombardment of Gaza. In the face of the 18-year-long Israeli siege of Gaza and the genocide, we continue our mission to bring essential goods and services to our people on the ground, advocating for their rights to live with dignity and access the basic freedoms and necessities that every human deserves.
One Call Changed Everything: A Woman’s Story from Gaza
For 78-year-old Hind, life in Gaza has been a series of silent struggles. Confined to a wheelchair and living alone in a partially destroyed home, her world was turned upside by the ongoing Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
When Amal, UPA’s Regional MEAL Manager, called to follow up on a recent clothing voucher distribution, she expected a routine conversation. What she didn’t expect was to uncover a story that revealed not only a dire need for necessities but also a profound yearning for human connection.
On the other end of the line, Hind’s voice was soft but unwavering. Friends had helped her redeem the clothing voucher, as she couldn’t go out herself. But there was so much more to her situation.
“I don’t have anyone—no children to help me. I can’t walk or get anything on my own. I need adult diapers, medications, and food,” Hind shared. Then, in a quieter tone, she added, “Thank you for calling me. I’m just so happy to have someone to talk to. I’ve lost everything. I wish someone could visit me, even if just to say hello.”
Amal listened closely, moved by Hind’s vulnerability. It was clear that her needs went beyond food and medication—she was suffering from profound isolation. Amal knew that immediate action was needed.
A Lifeline of Support
Without delay, Amal escalated Hind’s case to UPA’s Senior Director of Field Operations, and soon after, UPA’s mobile medical team in Gaza City was dispatched to her home. Although the team typically serves nearby communities, Hind’s disability had left her hidden from their reach—until now.
When the team arrived at her door, they brought adult diapers and a hygiene kit. UPA’s psychosocial workers spent time speaking with Hind, offering her emotional support and the promise of regular weekly visits to ease her isolation. The team is also working to secure the medications Hind desperately needs, alongside plans to deliver a food parcel.
Beyond Essentials: The Power of Human Connection
What started as a routine check-in became a lifeline for Hind. The impact of that single phone call runs deep—not only has Hind been connected to essential resources, but she has also found solace in knowing that she is no longer alone. The promise of regular visits from UPA’s team provides not just practical support, but the human connection she had longed for.
Hind’s story reminds us that, sometimes, the smallest gestures—a call, a visit, a listening ear—can make the most profound difference. UPA remains committed to providing both the tangible essentials and the emotional support needed to uplift the most vulnerable members of the Palestinian community.
Honoring Our Elders: UPA’s Commitment to International Day of Older Persons
On this International Day of Older Persons, United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) honors the elders that we serve in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Jordan.
Their experiences and wisdom are a rich source of knowledge that connects us to the deep-rooted heritage of Palestinian culture, and we are dedicated to addressing their needs through comprehensive programs and projects that provide healthcare, essential medications, psychosocial support, food assistance, and opportunities to preserve their cultural heritage.
A Special Spotlight: Jerash Refugee Camp, Jordan
One shining example of this commitment is UPA’s Community Center in the Jerash Refugee Camp in Jordan. The center provides a welcoming space where older adults can participate in meaningful, enriching activities.
To celebrate this year’s International Day of Older Persons, UPA is hosting a series of festivities at the center over the coming days. The celebrations will feature a collaborative play performed by children and elders, emphasizing the importance of kindness and respect toward older generations.
In addition, elders will take part in a mural project, visually expressing their emotions and life experiences through art. Traditional Palestinian wedding songs will be sung, and participants will prepare sweets, keeping the vibrant Palestinian traditions alive. An exhibition of handmade crafts by older women will showcase traditional pieces, highlighting their creativity and cultural artistry.
Programs that Foster Health and Connection
These festivities build upon UPA’s ongoing initiatives at the Community Center, which include sessions on healthy cooking, health awareness, and gardening. These activities not only promote physical and mental well-being but also create a sense of belonging and community among participants.
Beyond the center’s activities, UPA’s mobile medical teams provide critical home-nursing care, bringing essential medical support—ranging from diagnosis to ongoing treatment—directly to the homes of vulnerable elders.
This service ensures that even those who cannot leave their homes receive the care they need, upholding their dignity and well-being.
Our Continued Dedication
As we honor our elders on this special day, UPA remains committed to expanding these efforts and ensuring that the elders in our communities continue to receive the respect, care, and support they deserve. Your ongoing support allows us to provide these vital services and celebrates the elders whose wisdom continues to shape our future.
The Situation of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon
Since the Nakba in which Israel expelled over 750,000 Palestinians, Palestinians Refugees in Lebanon have faced a challenging existence marked by statelessness, marginalization, and economic hardship.
Today, around 450,000 Palestinian refugees are registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Lebanon, but the true number living in the country is estimated to be lower. These refugees reside in 12 official camps and numerous informal camps where conditions are often dire.
United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) has been actively involved in supporting Palestinian Refugee camps, including communities in the camps of Nahr Bared, Burj Barajneh, Ein El Helweh, El Buss, and Rashidieh through various initiatives aimed at alleviating their struggles and enhancing their quality of life.
The Sabra and Shatila Massacre
The Sabra and Shatila massacre, which occurred in September 1982, was a brutal event that further compounded the suffering of Palestinian refugees.
Thousands of Palestinian civilians were killed in the Sabra and Shatila Refugee camps in Beirut by the right-wing Lebanese militia (Phalange), with the instigation and backing of the Israeli military.
The murders took place between September 16th and 18th and resulted in an estimated death toll of nearly 3,500 civilians.
Legal Exclusion and Statelessness
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are not granted citizenship, leaving them stateless and without the basic rights that citizenship affords. Unlike in some other Arab countries, where a portion of Palestinians have been given greater rights, Lebanon has resisted this process.
This legal exclusion severely limits Palestinians’ access to the labor market, healthcare, and social services. They are barred from practicing in multiple professions, including law, medicine, and engineering, forcing many into low-wage jobs in the informal sector.
Living Conditions in Refugee Camps
Most Palestinian refugees in Lebanon live in overcrowded camps, the largest of which is Ain al-Hilweh, home to over 50,000 people. Set up as temporary shelters, they have become permanent due to Israel’s refusal to allow refugees to return home.
Conditions in the camps are poor, with inadequate infrastructure, sanitation, and access to clean water. Overcrowding exacerbates these problems, leading to frequent power outages, water shortages, and health issues.
Education and healthcare services in the camps are largely provided by UNRWA, but chronic underfunding has strained the agency’s ability to meet the population’s needs. Schools are overcrowded, and healthcare services are often limited to basic care, leaving many serious medical issues unaddressed.
The Role of UPA
United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) has been supporting Palestinians in Lebanon across several refugee camps through various community-focused initiatives.
In the Palestinian Refugee camps of Nahr Al Bared and Burj Al Barajneh, UPA provided hundreds of hot meals to the elderly and engage elders in recreational activities like dabkeh and singing to enforce their sense of community and purpose.
UPA has rehabilitated green spaces in these camps, enabling elderly refugees to grow crops like vegetables and berries, improving nutrition and well-being. Additionally, the organization facilitates intergenerational activities that allow older refugees to pass down Palestinian traditions, such as dabkeh and traditional recipes, to younger generations, helping preserve their cultural heritage and enforce their sense of belonging enhancing their engagement in the community.
Our team also provides critical care to over 300 patients, offering services from psychiatrists, psychologists, and occupational therapists. Despite challenges from regional instability, UPA’s mental health project continue to operate, and we provide online sessions when people cannot reach the center, providing treatment to refugees in need, and patients in the south of Lebanon.
A Future in Limbo
For more than seven decades, Palestinian refugees in Lebanon have lived in a state of limbo, with no resolution to their plight in sight. The situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon highlights the enduring consequences of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, with generations of refugees living in conditions of poverty, exclusion, and insecurity.
UPA remains committed to improving the lives of these refugees through dedicated support and community engagement, working tirelessly to bring hope and relief to those in need.
