Gaza Faces Devastating Water Crisis
(MENAFN) Tens of thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives during Israel’s prolonged military campaign on Gaza, which has inflicted severe harm to both plant and animal life. The assault has disrupted agricultural, fishing, and livestock industries, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
As of October 8, 2023, Israel’s actions have resulted in the deaths of over 68,200 people in Gaza, including 20,000 children.
The ongoing violence has displaced thousands, forcing them to survive in temporary shelters, where they face critical shortages of food and water.
Amid constant aerial bombardment, the displaced population is also dealing with the growing accumulation of waste and hazardous debris in streets and alleys.
Reports from the UN Environment Program (UNEP), as gathered by a correspondent, highlight the severe depletion of Gaza’s natural water resources due to overexploitation in recent years.
Groundwater supplies are highly contaminated, with 97% of water samples failing to meet the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
This contamination is primarily caused by the intrusion of seawater and nitrate pollution.
Before the onset of the conflict, Gaza had three desalination plants, 292 groundwater wells, 54 water reservoirs, pumping stations, and six wastewater treatment facilities.
However, by April of this year, Gaza's water storage capacity had plummeted by 84%, and most of its wastewater treatment plants have become nonfunctional, further deepening the region’s water crisis.
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