'Israel' destroyed only water desalination plant in northern Gaza
3 Min Read
The Palestinian Water Authority revealed that the destruction of the crucial water desalination facility worsens the region's already dire water crisis by eliminating its only reliable source of clean water.
-
Families in Khan Younis are trying to meet their daily needs by filling jerry cans with water, in Gaza, on December 4, 2024. (Anadolu)
The Palestinian Water Authority revealed Saturday that "Israel" destroyed the water desalination plant during its recent military operations in the northern Gaza Strip.
It stated that its technical personnel have been working for the sixth day in a row to examine the damage caused by Israeli aggression in northern Gaza, having difficulty accessing water and sanitary services as a result of the widespread devastation of residential areas, infrastructure, and roadways.
The Water Authority stated that workers were able to access the seawater desalination facility in northern Gaza and undertake a first technical evaluation of the damage inflicted. The examination revealed major technical issues in the electrical and electromechanical components of all the plant's operating stages and units.
Furthermore, the IOF completely destroyed some of the plant's main components, resulting in the loss of five seawater supply wells, the intake pipeline, two power generators, a pump, and a return water line, as well as the external fences and output pumps.
The Water Authority reported that this facility is the sole one serving northern Gaza and the Wadi Gaza area, delivering clean water to all of Gaza City's northwestern neighborhoods with a production capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per day. There are no other options to cover this quantity, and drilling water wells is problematic due to the high saline of the groundwater reservoir containing seawater in the city's western parts.
It further stated that the damage to the desalination facilities exacerbates the already critical water situation in Gaza, as they are the only safe and reliable supply of drinking water for the people.
'Israel' using water as weapon of war: Authorities
Last week, the Water Authority in Gaza reported that water purchases from the Israeli company Mekorot totaled 13.8 million cubic meters in 2024, costing over 54 million shekels ($14.8 million).
According to the authority, water supplies have dropped significantly since October 2023, decreasing from 18.5 million cubic meters to 13.8 million cubic meters. This reduction is described as part of the occupation’s punitive measures and its use of water as a weapon in its ongoing aggression.
Efforts are underway to distribute the limited water supply to Gaza's northern, central, and southern regions to provide potable water for its population. The authority is also working to repair, maintain, and rehabilitate damaged water infrastructure, including lines, reservoirs, and desalination stations. Additionally, they are striving to secure the necessary fuel to operate these facilities' inaccessible areas to maintain water pumping operations.
Even before October 2023, Gaza’s water supply was inadequate for its 2.3 million residents. Following the ongoing Israeli war, the United Nations estimates that the average Gaza resident now survives on just three liters of water per day for all needs—well below the emergency standard of 15 liters.
The ongoing Israeli war has destroyed over 700 wells and desalination plants, drastically reducing Gaza's water availability. Furthermore, "Israel" has forced the shutdown of all five wastewater treatment plants and most of the 65 sewage pumping stations due to a lack of fuel and electricity required to operate these essential services.
