In response to Israel cutting off the electricity supply to a desalination plant for drinking water in the occupied Gaza Strip, Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns, said:

“Israel’s decision to cut off electricity to Gaza’s main operational desalination plant is further evidence of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.

“These inhumane and unlawful actions is a clear a reminder of the control Israel has as occupying power, allowing it to turn life-critical services on and off at any given point.

“The Gaza Strip is already experiencing a water and sanitation catastrophe following overwhelming damage and destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure due to Israel’s military operations and the ongoing unlawful blockade. The complete blocking of fuel supplies also threatens to shut down other water facilities including wells.

“Israel must not be allowed to use water as a weapon of war. Fuel, food, shelter and other supplies critical to the survival of the civilian population are a matter of life and death, not a means to exert pressure in negotiations.

“Israeli authorities must immediately and fully restore Gaza’s electricity supply – not only to the desalination plant - and allow civilians unfettered access to essential goods and services. As the occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation under international humanitarian law to ensure the provision of food, medicine and other supplies essential to the survival of civilians in Gaza.”