Dear [Elected Official’s Name],
I am writing to urgently bring to your attention the continued targeting of Gaza’s vital water and sanitation infrastructure by Israeli forces. Last week, a video surfaced showing Israeli soldiers blowing up Rafah’s main drinking water tank. A recent Oxfam report also found that Israeli forces have damaged or destroyed five water and sanitation sites every three days since October 2023, decimating the water supply by 94%. This is clear evidence of collective punishment and our government has a moral and legal obligation to hold Israel accountable and protect the people of Palestine.
The recent IDF bombings destroyed a Rafah water which supplied 3,000 cubic metres of water per day, and a nearby water well in Tal as-Sultan. This has further plunged the refugee camp residents into catastrophic levels of food and sanitation despair, also exacerbating the likelihood of sickness and disease. The international community must intervene immediately to stop these crimes, allow essential repairs to the water and sewage networks, and uphold the human rights of Palestinians.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of deliberate destruction by Israeli forces, aiming to make Gaza uninhabitable. Between October 2023 and May 2024, Israeli forces damaged or destroyed five water and sanitation sites every three days. This relentless campaign has reduced Gaza’s water supply by 94%, as detailed in Oxfam’s “Water War Crimes” report published on 17 July 2024. Such systematic destruction of essential infrastructure constitutes flagrant war crimes. I ask you to advocate for the prosecution of all war criminals involved in these heinous acts.
Lama Abdul Samad, an Oxfam Water and Sanitation Specialist, highlighted the deadly consequences of weaponising water: “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.” This statement underscores the urgent need for decisive action to protect Palestinian civilians. I implore you to support sanctions against those responsible to enforce accountability.
The severe water shortage and destruction of sanitation facilities have caused widespread illness in Gaza, with over a quarter of the population suffering from preventable diseases due to the lack of clean water. Over 150,000 Palestinians have already contracted preventable skin diseases due to the squalid conditions.
70% of all sewage pumps and 100% of all wastewater treatment plants have been destroyed. 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. Israel has also restricted the entry of Oxfam water testing equipment. I urge you to press for immediate humanitarian aid to address these critical needs, to rebuild essential infrastructure, and to prevent further suffering.
In January, the International Court of Justice demanded that Israel improve humanitarian access to Gaza, citing potential genocide. Despite this, Israel continues to block aid, even by targeting aid trucks and humanitarian personnel with airstrikes. This has been enabled to continue through the international community’s failure to hold Israel to account. This must change. Sanctions are needed immediately.
The global community must act now to prevent further suffering and uphold the rights of Palestinians. I ask you to recognize the Palestinian state and support their right to self-determination.
Your immediate action is crucial in addressing these atrocities, rebuilding essential infrastructure, and preventing further loss of life.
Your constituent,
[Name]
[Address]