Demolition and destruction of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

The demolition of WASH infrastructure in the OPT has placed Palestinians at increased risk of disease and illness, preventing herding and agricultural communities from practising their livelihoods and leading to significant levels of displacement. International humanitarian law and international human rights law explicitly forbid the destruction of infrastructure vital to public health and water supply. Destruction of WASH infrastructure by the Israeli authorities in the West Bank has increased since the beginning of 2010, affecting 14,971 Palestinians—over half of whom are children—and displacing 3442 individuals between 2009 and 2011. For example, three cistern demolitions occurred in 2009, 21 in 2010, and 34 in 2011. In addition, Israeli settlements, illegal under international humanitarian law, also confiscate, destroy and hinder access to WASH infrastructure in their vicinity. The Gaza Strip experienced widespread damage to water and sanitation facilities during the government of Israel’s military ‘Operation Cast Lead’ and continues to experience destruction of water and sanitation facilities as a result of air strikes by the Israeli military. [authors abstract]