UN agency warns of looming water crisis in Gaza

The UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) is warning of a water crisis in the Gaza Strip, which is under a sixth day of heavy Israeli bombardment in response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants.

"Shelters are overcrowded and have limited availability of food, non-food items and potable water," the UNRWA said in statement.

"A water crisis is looming in UNRWA emergency shelters and across the Gaza Strip due to damaged infrastructure, lack of electricity needed to operate pumps and desalination plants, and limited supply of water in the local market," it continued.

"Water supplies cannot be replenished due to the total blockade on the Gaza Strip by the Israelis authorities."

Some 218,000 people were currently seeking refuge in UN buildings because of the ongoing Israeli airstrikes.

In total, at least 340,000 Palestinians have been displaced throughout the enclave so far, according to UN figures. More than 2 million people live in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has completely sealed off the narrow coastal territory on the Mediterranean Sea and stopped the entry of food, fuel, water and medicines.

The sole power plant in the Gaza Strip ceased its normal production on Wednesday after fuel supplies from Israel were halted.

The only border crossing to Egypt is also closed, meaning Gazans can only move within the densely populated territory.

Israeli officials say that 1,200 Israelis were killed in Hamas' bloody rampage on communities and an electronic music festival near the Gaza Strip at the weekend.