Northern Gaza declared disaster zone amid Israeli fuel and water blockades

Municipalities in northern Gaza say Israeli forces have turned the area into a disaster zone by continuing to block the entry of water, fuel, spare parts and reconstruction materials, deepening the collapse of basic services and the humanitarian crisis.

They report widespread destruction, including more than 150 kilometres of roads, 70 main water wells and treatment plants, all privately owned electricity generators, and 50,000 dunams of farmland.

Officials warn that fuel shortages, a lack of maintenance materials and the build-up of thousands of tonnes of waste are driving the spread of disease and posing a serious threat to public health.