Expulsion orders in Gaza cut Palestinians off from clean water: UN
"As you are well aware over the weekend, the Israeli military issued another displacement order in Deir al-Balah spanning four neighborhoods... [dealing] yet another devastating blow to the already fragile lifeline keeping people alive across the Gaza Strip," Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
"This directive cuts through Deir al-Balah all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, further fragmenting the Strip and pushing people into overcrowded, unsafe areas with no shelter and no access to the most essential supplies needed to survive," he added. "Initial estimates indicate that between 50,000 to 80,000 people were in the area at the time the order was issued, including 30,000 families sheltering in 57 various displacement sites."
Within the newly designated areas is the Southern Gaza desalination plant and other vital water infrastructure. The plant is a main source of drinking water for internally displaced people in al-Mawasi, and it serves hundreds of thousands of people, producing about 2,500 cubic meters of water per day. The loss of this facility would be catastrophic for the people who depend on it for access to fresh water," Dujarric said.
"As of early July, 80 percent of water sanitation and hygiene facilities fall within the Israeli militarised zone or in areas that have been placed under displacement orders".
Guterres, meanwhile, stated on Monday that he is "appalled by the accelerating breakdown of humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where the last lifelines keeping people alive are collapsing".
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
3 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Israel attacks World Health Organisation facilities and detains staff, chief reveals
The World Health Organisation's (WHO) staff residence in Deir al-Balah was attacked three times by the Israeli military on Monday, the agency's chief said. The main WHO warehouse was also attacked, and that building is located within what has now become a forced evacuation zone. "Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot and screened at gunpoint," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X. "Two WHO staff and two family members were detained. Three were later released, while one staff remains in detention," he added. "32 WHO staff and family members were evacuated to the WHO office once access became possible." The agency "demands the immediate release of the detained staff and protection of all its staff", Ghebreyesus said.
Middle East Eye
6 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Trump 'caught off guard' by Israeli strikes on Syria, White House says
US President Donald Trump was "caught off guard" by Israel's bombing of Syria, the White House said on Monday, signalling a potentially new sour point in his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "He was caught off guard by the bombing in Syria and also the bombing of the Catholic Church in Gaza," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Her remarks come after Middle East Eye first reported that the US was "upset" by Israel's targeting of Syrian forces entering the country's south and the strikes on Syria's ministry of defence and the outskirts of the presidential palace. Middle East Eye also reported that Saudi Arabia was "angry" about Israel attacking Syrian soldiers and dictating military deployments to Damascus. Sweida has been the site of sectarian violence between the majority Druze community and Sunni Bedouins. Israel has framed its military intervention as being in support of the Syrian Druze. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Current and former Arab, Israeli, and US officials say Israel is trying to carve out a zone of influence in Syria that conflicts directly with the vision of a unitary post-war Syria put forward by Tom Barrack, Trump's special envoy and ambassador to Turkey. With Damascus strikes, Israel seeks to tear up Trump's vision for Syria Read More » "I think Potus and others in the administration have been crystal clear about the path for Syria," a US official in the region who was monitoring the Israeli strikes told MEE last week, referring to President Trump. MEE reported on Friday that Saudi Arabia told the Trump administration that Syrian security forces should be able to deploy to Sweida. A fragile ceasefire struck late last week was holding on Monday amid reports of atrocities committed by both sides. Israel's strikes came as the US was trying to broker a normalisation of ties between Syria and Israel. The Trump administration has heralded Syria as a model for its version of Middle East statecraft underwritten by Turkish military might and Gulf cash. Trump announced in May that he was lifting all US sanctions on Syria despite objections from Israel and some of his own advisors. Trump said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were responsible for convincing him to make the decision.
Al Etihad
7 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Fundamentals of GCC policy on conflicts in Middle East
22 July 2025 00:27 MARIAM MOHAMED ALJNEIBIThe columnist is a writer with the think-tank firm TRENDS Research & AdvisoryThe Middle East continues to face a web of overlapping tensions that shape its political and security landscape. While the risk of escalation remains real, these challenges also present an opportunity for regional actors to promote dialogue and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have adopted a measured approach rooted in neutrality, balanced diplomacy, and a commitment to international law. They maintain relations with all parties involved in regional disputes – and internationally, too – while rejecting any attempts to impose dominance through diplomatic efforts, the Gulf states continue to enhance their security readiness, contributing to broader regional and global initiatives aimed at de-escalation. Their refusal to engage in retaliatory military action reflects a deliberate choice to prevent further in Gaza, Lebanon and Israeli-Iranian tensions are stark reminders of the volatility. For the Gulf states, geographic proximity makes the stakes especially high. Their populations and economies are directly exposed to the fallout of any navigating these interconnected challenges, the GCC's consistent focus on diplomacy and stability offers a pragmatic path in a region often at risk of spiraling deeper into conflict in any part of the region can send shockwaves across the entire Middle East and may drag in actors with no direct stake in the original dispute. This is particularly true when global economic interests are at risk or when armed proxy groups resort to violence under the pretext of linking the interests of one party to another. Such dynamics endanger critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, civilian sites, industrial zones, and logistical networks, while disrupting transportation and trade position of GCC states is based on a fundamental pillar, which is maintaining security and stability. The region cannot afford further attrition, having already endured a series of wars that impeded its economic development. For this reason, Gulf countries prioritise building and the use of state resources for growth and sustainable amid complex regional dynamics and ongoing conflicts, they remain committed to advancing prosperity and improving the quality of life for their people, with a clear and ambitious outlook towards the this focus on development, Gulf countries use their foreign policies as tools to defuse conflict zones, diversify their alliances with Eastern and Western partners, and intensify diplomatic efforts to contain the scope of conflict in the Middle such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman often lead de-escalation efforts through regional and international mediation, seeking calm and stability to facilitate the success of economic diversification plans and to ensure peace, security, business, trade, tourism and GCC does not shy away from thorny issues or obstacles. They actively pursue every opportunity to stabilise the region, whether through economic partnership agreements or reconciliation with regional actors, in pursuit of calm and also apply diplomatic pressure where needed to secure both immediate and long-term gains for the Arab region. This approach has enabled improved economic relations without having to align with one axis against GCC countries engage in negotiations and mediation on complex issues, but they firmly refuse to be a party to any armed conflict, directly or indirectly. They will not allow any party to use their territory, airspace, or waters to launch aggression against another country, while reserving the right to self-defence and the protection of their lands, people, infrastructure and economic assets from any form of balanced position of the GCC countries, which is rooted in respect for sovereignty and a desire to calm conflicts and wars in the Middle East, is built on clear criteria for stability. It reflects a form of active neutrality, rejecting engagement in conflict and favouring diplomatic solutions. In addition to that, Gulf countries recognise the urgency of diversifying energy export routes to reduce risks, strengthening their domestic front, maintaining strategic balance with wisdom, and deepening joint Gulf coordination until a comprehensive regional and security cooperation framework for the Middle East is established. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
