Iran war live: US, Tehran exchange opposing claims over Hormuz control

Most of the population across Gaza lacks sufficient access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports.More than 1.3 million people in Gaza, or more than half of the enclave’s population, have access to less than 6 litres (1.6 gallons) of water per person per day for drinking and cooking. According to humanitarian standards, the minimum amount of water needed in an emergency is 15 litres (4 gallons) per day for drinking, washing and cooking.Another 700,000 people in Gaza, representing more than one third of the population, have access to less than 9 litres (2.4 gallons) of water per person per day. OCHA pointed out that this compromises their ability to maintain hygiene, clean homes, and meet children’s needs.“People face overcrowding at water collection points and lack enough containers to transport water back to their homes, a task that is often left to children,” the UN agency said.Three in every four people in Gaza rely on water trucks, with humanitarian partners supplying more than 2,500 collection points daily and more than 100 displacement sites across Gaza last month.OCHA added that only half of all households in Gaza have access to basic sanitation or private facilities, while more than 900,000 people report being exposed to rubbish accumulating in residential areas.Displaced Palestinians gather to collect water at a tent camp in Gaza City, August 9, 2026 [Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters]