Gallons As the conflict in Gaza shows no signs of abating, Israel’s military projects its continuation throughout 2024, with airstrikes and tank assaults intensifying into the new year. The death toll surpassed 22,000 on Tuesday, leaving survivors grappling with fuel shortages and unsanitary conditions in the besieged enclave. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reports that over 70% of Gaza’s water is contaminated, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
UAE-Operated Desalination Plants: A Lifeline for Gaza
Amidst the dire circumstances, UAE-run desalination plants emerge as a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. A visit by Khaleej Times to the plants in the Egyptian city of Rafah reveals a doubled capacity of 1,200,000 gallons per day. Part of the Emirati ‘Gallant Knight 3’ mission, this expansion is set to benefit over 600,000 Palestinians in Gaza, delivering crucial clean and drinkable water to the strip.
Plant Operations and Impact: Gallons
Situated near the Mediterranean Sea, minutes from the Rafah border and 10 minutes from Gaza, the desalination plant extracts seawater through a meticulous filtration process. Pumped through 900-meter underground pipes, the treated water is then distributed by the Palestinian Water Authority upon reaching Gaza. Workers, like Yousef, express optimism about the plant’s progress, anticipating positive outcomes for more than half a million people across the border.
Residents’ Relief
For the parched residents of Gaza, the introduction of clean water from the UAE-built desalination plants is a welcome relief. After weeks of siege and reliance on unclean, brackish water, the newly supplied water is described as tasting “like sugar” by grateful residents. The three desalination plants established by the UAE aim to alleviate the suffering caused by water scarcity.
International Concerns and Humanitarian Mission: Gallons
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlights the critical importance of safe drinking water in Gaza, emphasizing that it is a matter of life and death for the population, especially children. The Emirati ‘Gallant Knight 3’ mission aims to address water shortages and other critical needs in the strip, providing vital support amid the ongoing conflict.
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