Ref: 33/2009
Date: 14 July 2009
PCHR Issues “Impact of Israeli Offensive on Sectors of Water and Sewage Services in the Gaza Strip”
On Tuesday 14 July 2009, Palestinian Center for Human Rights PCHR issued a new report on the “Impact of Israeli Offensive on Sectors of Water and Sewage Services in the Gaza Strip”, in which it sheds light on the devastating consequences of the Israeli offensive on water and sewage services.
The report is part of PCHR’s ongoing efforts to document and publish data related to the impact of the recent Israeli offensive and the crimes committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians and their property, including the destruction of the water and sewage services infrastructure. The Israeli offensive coincided with a tightened closure of the Gaza Strip’s border crossings. Six months after the end of the offensive, the water and sewage sectors still suffer due to a shortage of necessary equipment. This equipment is essential in order that the environmental facilities may maintain and develop the two sectors in light of complications resulting from the Israeli offensive.
The report concludes that the water and sewage services deteriorated as a result of the delayed process of reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, and Israel’s and international donors’ lack of respect for their legal obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law.
The following are the most significant points in the report:
– The Israeli offensive resulted in destruction to water and sewage services, inflicting heavy damage upon a number of projects (estimated as US$ 6 million).
– As a result of this destruction, the suffering of civilians increased. These sectors had already been operating inefficiently as Israel has denied the entry of equipment and spare parts necessary for repairing water wells, inner networks and sewage treatment plants. The already debilitated infrastructure was further weakened by the heavy damage caused by the Israeli offensive.
– In Gaza City, four sewage treatment plants were stopped due to fuel shortage. In Beit Hanoun town, a 16-inch pipeline linking the town’s pumping plant and treatment plant was destroyed. Due to Israel’s deployment in the area during the offensive, Gaza sewage treatment plant was stopped.
– Projects of reconstruction and development of sewage treatment plants, especially the Beit Lahia plant, were suspended. Israel banned technicians’ access and hindered the operation of the main sewage treatment plant supplying the northeast of the Gaza Strip.
– After the Israeli offensive ended, efforts to repair the two sectors have been obstructed by the illegal closure imposed on the Gaza Strip.
– The population of the Gaza Strip suffers from acute shortages in water supplies due to heavy damages inflicted upon facilities; water pumps provide only 30-40% of the normal daily production of water. During the reporting period drinking water was cut for long hours in areas such as the east of Rafah town where water is available for three hours a day only, and Khuza’a area. Areas in east of Jabalya refugee camp, Beit Hanoun town, al-Fukhari in Khan Younis and al-Shouka in Rafah also witness water shortages as they are in elevated areas, making it difficult to pump water to them.
– Destruction inflicted upon the water and sewage services still affects the daily life of the population as a result of limited ability to repair sewage networks beneath destroyed homes. Sewage is directly pumped into the sea with no treatment which endangers the residents’ health as well as marine life.
– The International Community, including donors, has failed to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, as no serious measures have been taken towards pressurizing Israel to lift the siege, reopen the Gaza Strip crossings, or allow the entry of all materials necessary for repairing damaged infrastructure.
The report recommended the following:
1. Immediate and urgent intervention to: ensure Israel’s respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, stop the serious deterioration in human dignity inflicted upon the Gaza Strip population, and cease the use of collective punishment policy, including the closure of border crossings.
2. Enabling institutions working in the Gaza Strip water and sewage services via allowing access to materials needed for repairing damages inflicted due to the Israeli offensive.
3. Pressurizing Israel to stop continued assaults against the infrastructure of the said sectors mostly against Beit Lahya sewage treatment plant, and to allow the resumption of works to establish basins for sewage through guaranteeing technicians’ safety.
4. Calling on international donors and NGOs to fulfill their previous pledges to fund projects of water and sewage services in the Gaza Strip.
5. Calling on the Palestinian National Authority to support development and reconstruction of the two sectors’ infrastructure so as to avoid environmental and hygienic problems caused by waste water, and to complete projects in the north-east of the Gaza Strip.
