UNICEF: attacks on water systems rise sharply
A new report warns that children in conflict zones are increasingly losing access to safe drinking water.
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Attacks that damage or destroy water and sanitation facilities in conflict zones occurred three times as often between 2021 and 2025 as in the preceding years. UNICEF says this in a new report. The organisation names Gaza as one of the areas where damage to water infrastructure is extensive.
The report Water Under Fire Volume 4 examines attacks on water, sanitation and hygiene systems in 23 countries and territories. The period covered runs from January 2021 to June 2026 inclusive. UNICEF says the attacks affect not only facilities, but also workers and people who depend on them.
According to UNICEF, more than 130 kilometres of sewer pipes have been damaged in Gaza since October 2023. As a result, untreated wastewater is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea or temporary storage sites. The report does not indicate what proportion of that damage occurred in recent days.
The organisation describes several ways in which water security comes under pressure: direct attacks on water-treatment plants, pipes and wells, as well as restrictions on the supply of fuel, spare parts and chemicals. This can cause facilities to shut down without being directly hit.
The consequences go beyond thirst. Without clean water, hospitals are less able to sterilise equipment, and it becomes more difficult to prepare food and therapeutic nutrition safely. UNICEF also warns of a greater risk of infectious diseases and malnutrition among children.
The report is not an independent damage assessment of every conflict zone and contains no judgement on responsibility for individual attacks. The figures are based on reported incidents. UNICEF does state that water and sanitation facilities must be protected under humanitarian law. The organisation calls on the parties to spare facilities, personnel and users.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- UNICEF reports a tripling of reported attacks on water and sanitation systems between 2021 and 2025.
- UNICEF reports that more than 130,000 metres of sewer pipe have been damaged in Gaza since October 2023.
- The report covers 23 countries and territories and reports up to June 2026.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that civilians' access to water and healthcare must not depend on military or political power relations, and that attacks on vital infrastructure must be prosecuted internationally.
Values Human equality, the protection of civilians and international legal norms.
Consequences Is particularly concerned about outbreaks of disease, malnutrition and prolonged humanitarian dependence if recovery and access do not materialise.
Centre
Arguments Emphasises that water infrastructure must be protected practically during wars and that aid organisations need access, fuel and spare parts, regardless of political preference.
Values International law, practicality and institutional responsibility.
Consequences Warns that restoration work without safe access and stable supplies will provide only temporary relief.
Right
Arguments Emphasises that armed groups must not use infrastructure for military purposes and that aid must reach civilians unhindered without resources ending up with the parties to the conflict.
Values Security, responsibility and oversight of aid flows.
Consequences Fears that inadequate oversight could delay aid efforts or leave the infrastructure vulnerable again.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The main figures and the description of the consequences can be found directly in UNICEF publications. The article makes clear that these are reported attacks and that the reporting period runs until June 2026.
- confirmed Attacks on water and sanitation systems tripled between 2021 and 2025. — UNICEF mentions this trend in the summary of Water Under Fire Volume 4. source
- confirmed More than 130 kilometres of sewer pipe have been damaged in Gaza since October 2023. — UNICEF refers to more than 130,000 metres of damaged sewerage infrastructure. source
- confirmed UNICEF warns of consequences for hospitals, malnutrition and infectious diseases. — The consequences are set out in the report and UNICEF's explanation. source
Editor's note
The trend and the Gaza figures come from the UNICEF report. The figures describe reported damage and are not a complete independent inventory of all incidents.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „gaza unicef”
- AD — „gaza unicef”
- de Volkskrant — „gaza unicef”