Gaza Experiencing Severe Water Shortage

[Purveyor]

August 21, 2014 11:21am

TEL AVIV (JTA) — Gaza residents are suffering from a severe water shortage as a result of the ongoing conflict there.

Damage to wells and Gaza’s energy infrastructure has disrupted the pumping and distribution of water, cutting the coastal strip’s water supply by half, according to Haaretz.

In addition, hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have been unable to bathe regularly. Haaretz reported that the water shortage could lead to the spread of infections and skin diseases.

The Palestinian Water Authority told Haaretz that bombing destroyed 11 wells and two purification plants while damaging an additional 15 wells and four purification plants.

Workers began repairs on the infrastructure during the cease-fires of recent weeks, but the repairs are expected to stop now that fighting has resumed. Ninety percent of the water in Gaza is not potable, making the purification plants crucial to the area’s drinking supply.

Read more: http://www.jta.org/2014/08/21/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/gaza-experiencing-severe-water-shortage#ixzz3B3R9JqSm

[merrily]

1. The water in that region is a story in itself.

[kelliekat44]

2. Most of the land grabs by Israel are because of where the water wells are or were located. nt

[merrily]

5. I have seen maps that show where the water is.

However, I add, as always, that I never know what the truth is in that region. Everyone who reports on it-and his or her sources-- seems to have one axe or another to grind. I give up. That is why I very rarely post about it.

[4now]

3. Shameful way to treat your neighbors

[PDJane]

4. Perhaps if Israel were forced to replace the infrastructure

and to tear down that illegal wall that encloses the Palestinian water table, things might change.

[malaise]

6. Any signs of Western humanitarian drops of

food and water??

[Purveyor]

8. Of course not. We are complicit in this apartheid/war crime. eom

[GitRDun]

7. No collective punishment to see here! Move along now....

[seveneyes]

9. Has Hamas offered to help repair the water systems?

Or is Hamas too busy building rockets and bombs and killing people to help support THEIR people?

[Purveyor]

10. And with what supplies could they use to repair the system considering

Gaza is all but a open air prison where supplies/food/goods/medicines are shut out by the apartheid gov't called israel?

[rhett o rick]

11. Hamas does a lot for their people. I would hope Christians in this country would

show some empathy. We sent humanitarian aid to the Kurds recently. We should send humanitarian aid to the Palestinians also. Don't you agree?