1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Human Rights Watch’s report details Israel’s extermination and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel’s actions over the past year have reduced access to water for Gaza’s more than 2 million residents to levels that are not only inhumane but life-threatening. Thousands have already been killed as a result, with doctors reporting widespread deaths from malnutrition, dehydration, and waterborne diseases, especially among infants and children. In Gaza: Palestinians can access just 2-9 liters of water per day on average. A person needs at least 50 liters per day for basic survival. In Israel, the average daily water use is 247 liters per person. In Gaza: Palestinians can access just 2-9 liters of water per day on average. A person needs at least 50 liters per day for basic survival. In Israel, the average daily water use is 247 liters per person. Israel has deliberately targeted Gaza’s water and sanitation systems: 84.6% of Gaza’s water infrastructure has been destroyed, including reservoirs and solar panels powering wastewater treatment plants. Israeli forces have attacked and killed water workers repairing essential systems and destroyed materials needed for repairs. Israeli officials declared their intent to deprive Gaza of essential services in October 2023, and their actions since then have matched this rhetoric: Restricting water supply into Gaza from Israel Cutting electricity, preventing water pumps from functioning. Blocking fuel to disable backup generators. Preventing UN agencies and humanitarian organizations from delivering water-related aid. The result of these policies is clear: a manufactured humanitarian catastrophe. Many in Gaza are forced to drink seawater, contributing to disease outbreaks and further deaths. The ICJ mandated provisional measures to prevent genocide, including ensuring access to adequate food and water. Israel’s deliberate deprivation of water in Gaza continues to violate these measures and international humanitarian law. As my elected official, I urge you to enforce and support the recommended actions HRW has given the international community. Implement targeted sanctions, suspend arms transfers and military assistance, and suspend bilateral trade and political agreements, to put concrete pressure on the Israeli government to comply with the ICJ’s provisional measures and its other obligations under IHL and human rights law. Every hour that passes without action puts more lives in Gaza at risk. We cannot allow the continued suffering and systemic targeting of Palestinians to go unchallenged. The time to act is now. Your constituent,