The main desalination plant in Gaza has been forced to significantly scale down its operations following Israel’s decision to cut off the electricity supply to the territory.
This plant, located near Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, was previously providing about 18,000 cubic meters of drinking water per day, serving over 600,000 residents in central and southern Gaza.
The plant serves Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis, as well as Rafah and all the southern parts of Gaza.
However, with the electricity cut, it is expected to operate on generators, reducing its output to approximately 2,500 cubic meters per day, which is roughly the volume of an Olympic swimming pool.
This reduction in water production exacerbates the existing water shortages in Gaza, which have been exacerbated by Israel’s restrictions on fuel imports. Fuel is essential for powering distribution trucks and maintaining water infrastructure.
Hamas has condemned Israel’s decision to cut off electricity to Gaza, calling it “cheap and unacceptable blackmail” intended to pressure the group into releasing hostages, according to Al Jazeera.
“We strongly denounce the occupation’s decision to sever Gaza’s electricity supply, after already depriving it of food, medicine, and water,” said senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq.
He described the move as “a desperate attempt to pressure our people and their resistance through unacceptable blackmail tactics.”
The power outage occurs amid ongoing conflict, further worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The situation is further complicated by the ongoing aid blockade and the devastation of Gaza’s infrastructure during the conflict.
Residents in southern areas of Gaza, who rely heavily on this desalination plant for their water supply, are now facing significant challenges in accessing water as they once did. The cut in electricity supply has been criticized by international bodies, with concerns raised about collective punishment and potential violations of international law.
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