Doha: Israel is effectively blocking access to water in the Gaza Strip by cutting off electricity and fuel, urging that humanitarian aid be allowed to pass to Palestinians to prevent further casualties.

According to Qatar News Agency, MSF said on Wednesday that Israeli forces are exacerbating the dire situation in Gaza by depriving its population of water. Paula Navarro, Water and Sanitation Coordinator for MSF, highlighted that recent attacks have killed hundreds in just a few days, and the blockade continues to prevent the entry of essential resources like electricity and fuel.

Navarro noted, “For those who have endured relentless bombings, the suffering is made worse by a water crisis. Many are forced to drink unsafe water, while others do not have enough.”

Chiara Lodi, MSF’s medical team coordinator in Gaza, reported an alarming increase in children suffering from skin conditions due to Gaza’s ongoing destruction and blockade. “In addition to treating adults and children with severe war injuries, our staff are treating an increasing number of children with entirely preventable skin diseases like scabies, which is not only uncomfortable but-in severe cases-causes them to scratch their skin until it bleeds,” Lodi stated.

Lodi attributed the scabies outbreak to the inability of Palestinian children to bathe, as MSF noted that the lack of safe water supplies has resulted in common conditions such as jaundice, diarrhea, and scabies in Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the region.

The organization warned that the depletion of fuel in the Gaza Strip could lead to a complete collapse of the remaining water system, further cutting off people’s access to water. The ongoing blockade has seen the closure of crossings to humanitarian, relief, medical supplies, and goods since March 2, according to MSF.