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54968
From: akira, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Statement from the Ministry of Health in Gaza:
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jeremy scahill @jeremyscahill Statement from the Ministry of Health in Gaza: "The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announces that tests were conducted on sewage samples in coordination with UNICEF, and the results showed the presence of the virus that causes poliomyelitis. Detecting the virus that causes polio in sewage portends a real health disaster and exposes thousands of residents to the risk of contracting poliomyelitis. The Ministry of Health calls for an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression, providing usable water, repairing sewage lines, and ending population crowding in places of displacement." |
54969
From: akira, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Meanwhile, an Israeli lab confirmed the presence of Polio
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jeremy scahill @jeremyscahill · 32m Meanwhile, an Israeli lab confirmed the presence of Polio and Israel's Ministry of Health ordered the Medical Corps to vaccinate IDF combat soldiers in Gaza with a booster dose against polio. |
54970
From: akira, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Israel using water as weapon of war as Gaza supply plummets by 94%
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Oxfam: Israel using water as weapon of war as Gaza supply plummets by 94%, creating deadly health catastrophe: Oxfam Published: 17th July 2024 Israel damaged or destroyed five water and sanitation sites every three days since the start of this war A new Oxfam report reveals how Israel has been systematically weaponizing water against Palestinians in Gaza, showing disregard for human life and international law. The report, Water War Crimes, finds that Israel’s cutting of external water supply, systematic destruction of water facilities and deliberate aid obstruction have reduced the amount of water available in Gaza by 94% to 4.74 litres a day per person – just under a third of the recommended minimum in emergencies and less than a single toilet flush. Oxfam analysis also found: Israeli military attacks have damaged or destroyed five water and sanitation infrastructure sites every three days since the start of the war. The destruction of water and electricity infrastructure and restrictions on entry of spare parts and fuel (on average a fifth of the required amount is allowed in) saw water production drop by 84% in Gaza. External supply from Israel’s national water company Mekorot fell by 78%. Israel has destroyed 70% of all sewage pumps and 100% of all wastewater treatment plants, as well as the main water quality testing laboratories in Gaza, and restricted the entry of Oxfam water testing equipment. Gaza City has lost nearly all its water production capacity, with 88% of its water wells and 100% of its desalination plants damaged or destroyed. The report also highlighted the dire impact of this extreme lack of clean water and sanitation on Palestinians’ health, with more than a quarter (26%) of Gaza’s population falling severely ill from easily preventable diseases. In January, the International Court of Justice demanded that Israel immediately improve humanitarian access in light of a plausible genocide in Gaza. Since then, Oxfam has witnessed firsthand Israel’s obstruction of a meaningful humanitarian response, which is killing Palestinian civilians. "We’ve already seen Israel’s use of collective punishment and its use of starvation as a weapon of war. Now we are witnessing its weaponizing of water, which is already having deadly consequences." Lama Abdul Samad, Oxfam Water and Sanitation Specialist Oxfam's office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory & Israel Oxfam Water and Sanitation Specialist Lama Abdul Samad said it was clear that Israel had created a devastating humanitarian emergency resulting in Palestinian civilian deaths. “We’ve already seen Israel’s use of collective punishment and its use of starvation as a weapon of war. Now we are witnessing its weaponizing of water, which is already having deadly consequences. “But the deliberate restriction of access to water is not a new tactic. The Israeli Government has been depriving Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza of safe and sufficient water for many years,” she said. “The widespread destruction and significant restrictions on aid delivery in Gaza impacting access to water and other essentials for survival, underscores the urgent need for the international community to take decisive action to prevent further suffering by upholding justice and human rights, including those enshrined in the Geneva and Genocide Conventions.” Monther Shoblak, General Manager of the Gaza Strip’s water utility CMWU, said: “My colleagues and I have been living through a nightmare these past nine months, but we still feel it’s our responsibility and duty to ensure everybody in Gaza is getting their minimum right of clean drinking water. It’s been very difficult, but we are determined to keep trying – even when we witness our colleagues being targeted and killed by Israel while undertaking their work.” Oxfam is calling for urgent action including an immediate and permanent ceasefire; for Israel to allow a full and unfettered humanitarian response; and for Israel to foot the reconstruction bill for water and sanitation infrastructure. Notes to editors Read Oxfam's "Water War Crimes" full report Water, fuel and supply-related data was current at 26 May Destruction figures were current at 3 June Methodology used to calculate figures available upon request Oxfam analysis of WHO figures found that a lack of clean water and sanitation led to 26% of Gaza’s population falling ill to easily preventable diseases Contact information Spokespersons are available for interviews. Please contact: Oxfam Media office | Media.OPTI@oxfam.org For updates, please follow @NewsFromOxfam and @OxfamJerusalem. |
Responses:
[54971]
54971
From: akira, [DNS_Address]
Subject: 66 page report, War War Crimes: How Israel has weaponised water
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BRIEFING PAPER Water War Crimes: How Israel has weaponised water in its military campaign in Gaza 18/07/2024 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This paper was authored by Lama Abdul Samad and co-authored by Martin Butcher and Bushra Khalidi and based on research conducted by Oxfam between May-July 2024 in close cooperation with the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) in the Gaza Strip. We would like to thank Dr Mark Zeitoun, Director of the Geneva Water Hub, Mr Monther Shoblak, Director of the CMWU, and Dr Christopher Ward, Senior Counsel, for providing expert review and advice on the paper. We also thank the WASH and Health Clusters for the publicly available information, and Oxfam colleagues that contributed to the research. The methodology used to calculate figures are available upon request. At the global level Oxfam is leading on campaigns for a permanent ceasefire and unfettered humanitarian access. We are grateful to our supporters and institutional donors for their contributions to this response. © Oxfam International July 2024 This paper is part of a series of papers written to inform public debate on development and humanitarian policy issues. For further information on the issues raised in this paper please email advocacy@oxfaminternational.org This publication is copyright, but the text may be used free of charge for the purposes of advocacy, campaigning, education, and research, provided that the source is acknowledged in full. The copyright holder requests that all such use be registered with them for impact assessment purposes. For copying in any other circumstances, or for re-use in other publications, or for translation or adaptation, permission must be secured, and a fee may be charged. Email policyandpractice@oxfam.org.uk. The information in this publication is correct at the time of going to press. Published by Oxfam GB for Oxfam International in July 2024. DOI: 000033 Oxfam GB, Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2JY, UK. Cover copyright: Alef Multimedia/Oxfam 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary................................................................................................................. ..5 Introduction............................................................................................................ ...................9 Water and sanitation in Gaza following 7 October 2023 ..................................................10 Water and sanitation in Gaza prior to 7 October 2023......................................................11 Systematic Weaponization of Water .....................................................................................13 Intentional water deprivation by cutting off Mekorot supply ..........................................15 Lethal combination – destruction and blockade .............................................................17 Destruction of critical water production infrastructure and impact on supply..........18 Destruction of water utility warehouses and blocking repairs....................................21 Destruction of water laboratories ..................................................................................22 Destruction of sanitation infrastructure and services.................................................22 Destruction of Oxfam and partners' water infrastructure............................................23 Destruction of infrastructure inside healthcare facilities ...........................................26 Israel’s obstruction of aid delivery. ...................................................................................28 Evacuation to Israeli- designated “safe zones”................................................................32 Lasting threat to public health .............................................................................................34 Economic toll and implications..............................................................................................35 International legal requirements and scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza.........................36 International legal requirements .......................................................................................36 UN Security Council resolutions .........................................................................................40 Legal requirements Charges at the ICC .............................................................................40 Case at the ICJ .....................................................................................................................41 Findings of widespread and systematic crimes ...............................................................44 Harm to conditions of life in Gaza ......................................................................................45 Conclusions and recommendations End notes List of Acronyms CLA Coordination and Liaison Administration CMWU Coastal Municipality Water Utility COGAT Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories GPS Global Positioning System ICC International Criminal Court ICJ International Court of Justice IHL International Humanitarian Law IPC Integrated Food Security Phase Classification ISF Israeli Security Forces NGO Non-governmental organization OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OPT Occupied Palestinian Territory UAE United Arab Emirates UN United Nations UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNESCWA United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund UNOSAT United Nations Satellite Centre UXO Unexploded Ordnance WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WHO World Health Organization Executive Summary This report presents a detailed analysis of how the Government of Israel has systematically weaponized water against the Palestinians in its latest assault on Gaza, raising grave concerns of human rights violations and breaches of international law. It highlights ongoing violations of international laws, showing how the Government of Israel has used water deprivation to dehumanize and ultimately threaten Palestinian lives since the 1993 Oslo Accords. This culminates, in a brutal fashion, in the current military operation in Gaza. The UN Commission of Inquiry finds that Israel’s military operations and civilian policies relating to water in Gaza, following the attacks by Palestinian armed groups on Israel on 7 October 2023, are indiscriminate and disproportionate.1 The ‘total siege’ which the Government of Israel is using to collectively punish the entire civilian population in Gaza, including restrictions on water, electricity, fuel deliveries and the entry of essential supplies, has compounded the suffering of a population that is now on the brink of famine. The Israeli military’s continuous and extensive bombardment, which has destroyed key roads and essential civilian infrastructure, has further debilitated humanitarian efforts, leaving the population in dire conditions. Oxfam’s own analysis reveals that: • Since the Israeli offensive began following 7 October 2023, people in Gaza have had only 4.74 litres of water per person per day2 for all uses including drinking, cooking, and washing, which is a dramatic 94% reduction in the amount of water available before. This is significantly below the internationally accepted minimum standard of 15 litres of water per person per day for basic survival in emergencies.3 • Since the start of the blockade in 2007, the Government of Israel has severely tightened restrictions on movement and access. In addition to the total siege imposed on Gaza on 9 October 2023, it means that entry of critical water and sanitation supplies is at times indefinitely delayed. It has taken Oxfam several months to receive Israeli ‘pre-clearance' for 3 desalination units and pipes needed for repairing damaged infrastructure, but this does not guarantee entry. To date, these supplies have not entered Gaza. ‘Pre-clearance’ for 3 other desalination units and spare parts remains pending. • Water supplied via the three Israeli Mekorot lines have been providing water to Gaza at only 22% of total supply capacity; from October 2023 to May 2024, the lines supplying Khan Younis and Gaza City were completely cut for 81% and 95% of the time, respectively.4 5 • By 26 May 2024, water production from sources within the whole Gaza Strip had reduced by 84%5 due to destruction of water infrastructure and restrictions on fuel, electricity, and water and sanitation spare parts entering Gaza. • By 3 June 2024, five water and sanitation infrastructures had been taken out of service every three days (1% per three days) by the bombardment.6 • By 3 June 2024, Gaza City had lost nearly all its water production capacity, with 88% of its water wells, 100% of its brackish water desalination plants and 100% of its seawater desalination plants damaged or destroyed and put out of service.7 • The Israeli military has destroyed the two main water quality testing laboratories (the first in November 2023 and the second on 21 March 2024) inside Gaza and restricted the entry of Oxfam water testing equipment. • By 3 June 2024, the Israeli military had destroyed 100% of all water and sanitation warehouses in Gaza City and Khan Younis.8 • By 3 June 2024, the Israeli military had destroyed 70%9 of all sewage pumps and by 26 June 2024, 100% of all wastewater treatment plants in Gaza.10 • In the event that a million people seek shelter from bombardment in the Israeli- designated ‘Al Mawasi safe zone’, the area could become the most densely populated in the world with the potential to provide a mere 2.48 litres per person per day. Key findings include: The systematic destruction and obstruction of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has led to severe water shortages, widespread, and health crises. Oxfam’s detailed breakdown shows significant damage to water production wells, storage reservoirs, desalination plants and wastewater facilities, drastically reducing water availability and creating unsanitary conditions. Oxfam’s attempts to import critical supplies like water desalination units and repair materials have been obstructed by Israeli restrictions.11 The systematic destruction of water facilities, bureaucratic hurdles blocking humanitarian supplies, and inflammatory statements by Israeli officials12 show that Israel is at best reckless as to the humanitarian crisis and its IHL duty to protect civilians. Israel’s military approach has created conditions of destruction and widespread suffering, underscoring the severe nature of the crisis in Gaza resulting from a policy of deprivation and denial.13 6 The impact on public health has been catastrophic, with reported cases of waterborne diseases skyrocketing. Oxfam’s analysis of health data shows that more than a quarter of the population has fallen seriously ill from water and sanitation related diseases, despite these illnesses being preventable with sufficient and safe water and sanitation.14 This Oxfam report shows it is vital: 1. The Government of Israel and Palestinian armed groups agree to an immediate and permanent ceasefire. 2. The Government of Israel ends its siege and lift its blockade on Gaza to allow unhindered and sustainable access to humanitarian assistance, particularly for food, clean water, sanitation, and shelter. 3. The international community supports an independent investigation into potential violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law by the Government of Israel and Palestinian armed groups, including the destruction of essential civilian infrastructure such as water and wastewater infrastructure, to ensure that those found to have committed such violations are held to account. 4. The Government of Israel bears the costs of Palestinian-run repair and reconstruction of water and sanitation infrastructure that has been damaged or destroyed during the conflict. 5. The international community upholds International Humanitarian Law and other international law in all circumstances end the current culture of impunity for war crimes and other international crimes. In conclusion, the report highlights the urgent need for the international community to take decisive action to uphold justice and human rights, prevent further suffering and protect the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, including those enshrined in the Geneva and Genocide Conventions. |
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