Desalination output in southern Gaza falls to its lowest level, UN reports

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its situation report of 2 October that water production at the two seawater desalination plants in southern Gaza had fallen to its lowest output, for lack of spare parts and equipment. This raises concern for the drinking water of about 500,000 people in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. OCHA cites funding shortfalls and restrictions on the entry of engine oil, spare parts and equipment, without naming who imposes the restrictions in that passage. The WASH Cluster estimates that 74 per cent of the population relies on trucked drinking water. Caustic soda and antiscalant entered Gaza on 23 September and should last a month. The report carries no statement from Israeli authorities on this point.