Israel has been systematically weaponising the Gaza water supply, showing disregard for human life and international law, according to a new report by Oxfam.
The water supply has been cut by 94% to 4.74 litres a day per person - just under a third of the recommended minimum in emergencies and less than a single toilet flush.
The report highlighted that a lack of clean water and sanitation led to a quarter of Gaza's population falling ill to easily preventable diseases.
It said Israel caused the water shortage by cutting off the external water supply, destroying water facilities and deliberately obstructing aid from getting to Palestinians in Gaza.
The data said five water infrastructure sites have been damaged every three days since the start of the war, 70% of all sewage pumps and 100% of all wastewater treatment plants have been destroyed.
Water production has dropped by 84% in Gaza and the enclaves external supply dropped by 78%.
Oxfam said it has witnessed firsthand Israel's obstruction of humanitarian aid which directly contravenes an order from the International Court of Justice.
"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," said Oxfam Water and Sanitation Specialist Lama Abdul Samad.
"The Israeli government has been depriving Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza of safe and sufficient water for many years," she added.
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Clean water has always been a limited resource in Gaza and the territory has largely relied on a system of boreholes and desalination plants for its supply.
The Israeli military has said that Hamas cynically exploits civilian infrastructure for terror purposes, though Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the water supply to be cut off following the 7 October attacks.
Late last month, Israel, under pressure from western allies, promised to supply electricity to a large water desalination facility in Khan Younis.
The facility could provide water for up to 1 million people though it is unclear if it has yet come online.
Monther Shoblak, General Manager of the Gaza’s water utility CMWU, said that they were living through a nightmare.
"It’s been very difficult, but we are determined to keep trying - even when we witness our colleagues being targeted and killed by Israel while undertaking their work, " he added.
Impact of water shortages on Palestinians 'absolutely dire' - Oxfam
Oxfam's Bushra Khalidi water production in Gaza has dropped by 84% due to "widespread" damage to infrastructure and restrictions on fuel.
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Khalidi said the impact on civilians is "absolutely dire" with a number of diseases spreading.
"Hospitals are unable to receive normal treatment for jaundice, hepatitis ... we could have a cholera outbreak," she said.
"There's already a health crisis in Gaza and they've fallen severely ill from these waterborne diseases that are absolutely preventable with sufficient water and safe sanitation."
Ms Khalidi said the last two weeks have been some of the deadliest for Gaza since 7 October.
She said water infrastructure that Oxfam has been trying to get into Gaza has been "pending for five months in Egypt".
"We got preclearance for spare parts, but we don't have preclearance for fittings. How can we build without both supplies?"
Ms Khalidi called for an "immediate and permanent" ceasefire and for the international community to support independent investigations into potential violations of humanitarian law.
"There's an international responsibility here to uphold justice, human rights and prevent further suffering in Gaza and everybody has a duty and obligation under that," she added.
