Gaza Government Official to QNA: Losses to Municipal Sectors Worth More Than $3 Billion

A government official in Gaza revealed the extent of damage sustained by the service sector in the Gaza Strip, which included the destruction of municipal offices that provide essential local services to Palestinian citizens. The damage also involved the bombing and destruction of water and sewage networks, as well as the demolition of water wells and waste management systems. In a statement to Qatar News Agency , Director-General of the Government Media Office Ismail Thawabteh said that the estimated initial losses to the services and municipal sectors were around $3.147 billion. He warned that, as the rainy season approaches in Gaza, the negative impact on Palestinian citizens from the destruction of infrastructure by Israeli forces could become even more apparent, expressing concerns over streets and refugee tents flooding. For its part, the Union of Municipalities in Gaza warned of sewage and rainwater collection ponds overflowing due to damaged pumps and destroyed sewage networks. Municipalities in t he northern and southern parts of Gaza reported that Israeli forces deliberately targeted sewage lines and bombed major pumping stations. Director of the Media Department at Gaza Municipality Asim Al Nabih, the largest in the Gaza Strip, said that Israeli occupation forces destroyed 90,000 meters of water networks and that 75% of wells were damaged. Additionally, 165,000 meters of sewage and rainwater drainage networks were destroyed. Al Nabih called on international organizations to intervene and assist in repairing water pumps and rainwater drainage lines, highlighting that Gaza is approaching winter. He mentioned that an appeal had been made to the United Nations to pressure Israel to allow the necessary equipment to enter, in order to prevent rainwater collection ponds from flooding and endangering the lives of residents. The ongoing genocide in Gaza by Israeli occupation forces has continued for the 364th consecutive day, leading to the complete destruction of vital infrastructure and services. Sour ce: Qatar News Agency