Repercussions of the aggression on water sources:
Gaza Strip depends on three major water sources, as primary estimations indicate that due to the current Israeli aggression, supply from these sources has dropped to nearly 10-20% of what it was before the aggression. These sources comprise of:
1. Ground water: Extracted through 300 wells distributed in the entire Strip (290 wells are operated by the municipalities, 10 wells operated by UNRWA) with a total rate of water supply for all purposes reaching 262,000m3/day. These wells sustained great damage, and due to the interventions of the Palestinian Water Authority in cooperation with water service providers during the period of the aggression, the amount of water produced reached nearly 93,000 m 3 /day.
2. Three small- scale desalination plants with limited quantities: (Central, Northern Southern) during the period of the aggression, the Northern plant ceased operation completely due to the severe damage it sustained. The occupation deliberately turned it to a military outpost. the central plant operated with a production capacity not exceeding 30% before the aggression due to some damage, in addition to the scarcity of fuel to operate the generators, and lack of spare parts for maintenance. As for the Southern plant, till the middle of Nov. 2024, it was operating at only 20% of its production capacity, depending on the availability of fuel. Later, after the power line supplying the plant was reconnected, it began operating at about 70% of its production capacity.
3. Water purchased from Mekorot:(Through three supply connections in the North, Middle, and South). The amount of water supplied through these points before the aggression reached 52,000 m3/day, equivalent to 52% of potable water. The occupation cut off completely the three points at the beginning of the aggression. After they were reopened, Water Authority staff started maintenance work required for the main and secondary lines, monitored pumping works and expanded them to new populated areas. By the time of cease fire, as a result of the interventions, a total of 40,000m m3/day was supplied, but this quantity decreased later due to a fault in the supply line from Bin Sa’id connection line which feeds the central governorate, and delays in obtaining the necessary coordination for repairs. As for water networks, nearly 2263 km were destroyed, of which1622 km were completely destroyed, 9 km were partially destroyed. Unfortunately, with the shortage of water to meet the basic needs, addressing the basic needs to meet the needs of agriculture has been postponed despite its deep connection to absence of food insecurity in Gaza.
