The Palestinian Water Authority has confirmed the destruction of Gaza’s sole water desalination plant by the Israeli military during its recent ground operations in northern Gaza. The attack has exacerbated the already dire water crisis in the region, as the plant was the only source of clean drinking water for northern Gaza and the Wadi Gaza area.
Technical teams from the Water Authority have been assessing the extensive damage to the plant, which provides 10,000 cubic meters of water daily. The destruction included major components such as seawater supply wells, power generators, and pipelines, crippling the plant’s operation. This comes amidst significant damage to Gaza’s infrastructure by the Israeli authority, which has hindered access to water and sanitation facilities.
In response to the crisis, the Water Authority has initiated an emergency plan to install ten mobile desalination stations in central and southern Gaza, aiming to provide a total of 250 cubic meters of water daily. These mobile units are a temporary solution to ensure the continuation of drinking water provision for the population. However, with no immediate alternatives to replace the destroyed desalination plant, the situation remains critical.
