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DEIR AL-BALAH, PALESTINE - SEPT. 23, 2025: Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip's Deir Al-Balah are walking long distances in search of clean water after Israeli strikes destroyed much of the enclave’s water infrastructure.Residents line up for hours under the scorching sun at distribution points, often only to find supplies exhausted. “There is no water and no food. As you can see, life is hard,” said one man who walked nearly two kilometers, only to return empty-handed.The Gaza Government Media Office said in July that Israeli forces have destroyed at least 112 water-filling stations and 720 wells since October 2023, systematically dismantling the enclave’s water network.Families described long lines of women and children waiting with empty containers for limited supplies, while municipalities and rights groups accuse Israel of using thirst as a weapon against civilians.Last month, the UN humanitarian office reported that 96% of households in Gaza lack secure access to water, while nine in 10 Palestinians cannot obtain drinking water.The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) also warned of “catastrophic” conditions as soaring summer heat compounded the shortage.UN investigators recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where more than 65,300 people have been killed since October 2023.(Footage by Anas Zeyad Fteha /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)