Over 34,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. Among them are over 10,000 women, 6,000 of whom have left 19,000 orphaned children, according to a recent United Nations report. The health status and living conditions of women and girls in Gaza continue to plummet as no hygiene supplies are available, and infectious diseases pose a threat to them as caregivers within their families.

The water and sanitation crisis has left forcibly displaced women, along with other members of their families, surviving on as little as 1.5 liters of water per day, whereas the minimum prescribed for crisis situations is 15 liters per day. The effects are particularly harsh on pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding infants. According to the UN report, they need at least 7.5 liters of water per day to stay hydrated—not even considering the necessity of maintaining basic hygiene standards.

“We are already noticing an increase in women and children struggling with dehydration and diarrhea. Infants who have no access to breastfeeding—due to the inability or the death of a mother—and must use formula are especially vulnerable due to the need for clean, safe water, which is rarely available in Gaza at present,” a physician told the UN team.