• Keeponstalin@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    The siege has led to shortages of basic items such as food and fuel. It has also stymied Gaza’s potential for long-term economic development. Chronic problems, such as access to education, healthcare and clean water, have become more pronounced.

    Since the beginning of the siege, Israel has launched four protracted military assaults on Gaza: in 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021. Each of these attacks has exacerbated Gaza’s already dire situation. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed, including many children, and tens of thousands of homes, schools and office buildings have been destroyed.

    Rebuilding has been next to impossible because the siege prevents construction materials, such as steel and cement, from reaching Gaza.

    Over the years, Israeli missile attacks and ground incursions have also damaged Gaza’s pipelines and sewage treatment infrastructure. As a result, sewage often seeps into drinking water, which has resulted in a sharp increase in waterborne disease.

    More than 95 percent of Gaza’s water has been rendered unsafe for drinking, according to the UN.

    Plans to improve Gaza’s water quality have been thwarted by the ongoing power crisis. Water projects are among the largest consumers of electricity. Without enough power to maintain existing water and sanitation systems, it is impossible to build new ones.

    Many homes in Gaza rely on electric pumps to push water to the top of the building. No electricity for them means no water.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/14/a-guide-to-the-gaza-strip

    That was all before Oct 7th