United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher visited a wastewater treatment plant north of Gaza City on October 18 that was damaged in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Fletcher described the city's devastation as "a wasteland" and "beyond words," noting that residents now face the immense challenge of rebuilding. Despite a ceasefire and ongoing reconstruction plans, some border crossings into Gaza remain closed, and essential equipment is still barred from entry.