War on Gaza: Weaponizing Access to Water, Energy and Food

The policy brief by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing war in Gaza on essential services, particularly in the water, food, and energy sectors across Gaza, the West Bank, and southern Lebanon. The War on Gaza has worsened an already critical humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a 16-year blockade, resulting in deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and a ban on essential goods. As a result, Gaza residents face dire shortages of safe water, soaring food prices, and severe energy scarcity, leading to widespread suffering and compromised living conditions.

Moreover, the War on Gaza has sparked unprecedented violence in the West Bank and escalated tensions along the southern Lebanese border, further displacing communities and damaging agricultural lands. To mitigate human suffering, the brief calls for an extended humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid. It emphasizes the need for early recovery efforts that address the interconnectedness of water, energy, and food security, promoting sustainable development. Ultimately, meaningful progress necessitates an end to the Israeli occupation, allowing the Palestinian people to reclaim sovereignty over their natural resources and rebuild their essential infrastructure.