This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Military Attacks Destroying Water Infrastructure
Wells, water connections, cisterns, roof water tanks, mains and sewage conduits "have been routinely (destroyed by air strikes or) crushed by tanks and armoured vehicles during Israeli military incursions" in both Gaza and the West Bank, and efforts to repair damage have been obstructed or prevented, exposing residents to long periods without water, forcing them to rely on unsafe sources and consume less.
During Cast Lead, attacks caused millions of dollars of damage to Gaza's water supply, sewage and wastewater facilities and infrastructure. In northern Gaza, three facilities were destroyed and the emergency sewage treatment plant damaged, as well as water distribution networks. In central Gaza, the Sheikh 'Ajlin sewage treatment plant was damaged, causing raw waste to flood over a square km of agricultural and residential land, ruining crops and contaminating neighborhoods.
In northern and eastern Gaza, Israeli tanks and bulldozers destroyed or damaged water mains, leaving over 800,000 people without running water. More recently, contamination is still high, and repairs not made because needed parts and materials are banned.
A September 2009 UNEP report called Gaza's water resources in crisis before Cast Lead, its destruction and damage aggravating a bad situation, accelerating aquifer pollution and reducing the supply of available drinking water.
Settlers' Attacks on Water Facilities
Attacks are frequent, damaging, and done with impunity, Israeli authorities doing nothing to stop them or punish those responsible. "Indeed settler attacks (are) often perpetrated in the presence or with the knowledge or tacit consent of Israeli soldiers, and in some cases with their active participation."
Even if injuries or deaths occur, offenders aren't prosecuted, settlers getting carte blanche to pillage, destroy, and at times kill. AI and other human rights representatives have been targeted while investigating or documenting incidents, making them as vulnerable as Palestinians.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
2
