Netanyahu’s Deception: Providing Water While Shedding Blood

In a recent display of rhetoric, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has portrayed himself as a savior for the Iranian people amidst a water crisis, a narrative steeped in irony as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates. His claims of “saving countless lives” starkly contrast with the dire realities faced by children in Gaza, where access to clean water has become a critical issue. This article explores the ongoing water crisis in Gaza and the implications of Netanyahu’s statements.

As Netanyahu’s words echoed across media outlets, the reality in Gaza was grim. Here are some key points highlighting the severity of the water crisis:

• Brackish Water Consumption: Children in Gaza are forced to drink contaminated water, often sourced from rooftop tanks due to an acute shortage of bottled water.
• Health Crisis: The Gaza Health Ministry and UNICEF report that water shortages, compounded by famine, have led to over 315 deaths in recent months, predominantly affecting children under five.
• Inhumane Policies: Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has implemented a full siege on Gaza, leading to the cessation of electricity, food, and fuel supplies.
• Severe Water Deprivation: According to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the average daily water availability in Gaza plummeted to less than three liters per person, significantly below the minimum required for survival.

The implications of these actions are dire. By March 2024, residents of northern Gaza were reported to receive less than one liter of water daily, much of which was undrinkable. This situation is further exacerbated by damaged water infrastructure, including:

1. Destruction of up to 65 water wells.
2. Bombing of three major desalination plants.
3. Damage to over 50 kilometers of water pipelines.

International humanitarian law explicitly prohibits the targeting of essential resources needed for civilian survival. Article 54 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions states the following:

“Attacking, destroying, removing or rendering useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population” is prohibited.

The denial of water has been classified as a war crime by the International Committee of the Red Cross. A report by Human Rights Watch, titled “Hopeless, Starving, and Besieged,” concluded that Israel has weaponized water and food deprivation, resulting in epidemic disease levels that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.

UNICEF has highlighted the dire consequences, stating that the situation represents an imminent death sentence for children in Gaza. Critical statistics illustrate the magnitude of the crisis:

• UNICEF reported a 45% increase in diarrheal disease among children under five compared to pre-war levels.
• At least 120 infant deaths due to dehydration and waterborne diseases were recorded during the first year of the siege.

The heartbreaking story of six-year-old Mariam from Khan Younis, who died after drinking contaminated water, underscores the human toll of this crisis. Her mother recounted her suffering, stating, “She cried the whole night with stomach pain. By the following morning, she was gone.”

Additionally, elderly patients like 70-year-old Hassan have succumbed to kidney failure due to the lack of sterile water for dialysis, with hospitals forced to cancel 70% of dialysis sessions.

This is not the first instance where water has been used as a tool of conflict. Historical context reveals that during the 2014 Protective Edge operation, Israeli attacks severely damaged Gaza’s largest wastewater treatment plant, leading to raw sewage contaminating water aquifers. In 2021, EU-funded desalination plants were bombed, with reconstruction efforts hindered by Israeli control over necessary supplies.

Netanyahu’s recent comments to the Iranian people, aimed at reshaping international perceptions, highlight a glaring hypocrisy. Despite his portrayal as a champion of water-saving technologies, Gaza—a mere 70 kilometers from Tel Aviv—continues to be deprived of the very solutions that Israel showcases globally.

The international response has been varied, with countries such as Pakistan condemning the blockade as a war crime. China and Russia have called for investigations into the targeting of water infrastructure, emphasizing violations of international humanitarian law.

While Israel boasts about its advanced water reuse systems and agricultural innovations, the reality for Palestinians is starkly different. As one displaced Palestinian engineer put it, “They want to be remembered as the nation which makes the desert bloom but they have transformed our home into a desert.”

Images from Gaza tell a harrowing story—children holding empty jerry cans, mothers boiling contaminated water for their families, and hospitals shuttered due to lack of resources. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is one of the most documented in recent history, supported by evidence from UN reports, satellite imagery, and medical records.

In conclusion, as Netanyahu attempts to position himself as a savior while remaining indifferent to the suffering of his neighbors, the grim reality of Gaza’s water crisis continues to unfold. The world must not forget the unmarked graves of the children who have perished from thirst, nor the hypocritical narrative that seeks to obscure the truth.

Written by Muhammad Akmal Khan, a Pakistani journalist and foreign affairs analyst, this article examines the complex dynamics of South Asia–Middle East relations, conflict diplomacy, and media freedom amid war.