17 dec 2013
Agricultural lands in Jeftlek village in Jordan Valley were swamped from water that leaked from a neighboring Israeli settlement established on Palestinian lands.
A pond exploded in the Israeli settlement on Monday, which led to the flow of water toward Jeftlek village, flooding more than 100 agricultural acres.
The agricultural crops were completely submerged and damaged while the Israeli settlers did not care less about what happened.
Dozens of greenhouses in the village were also damaged as a result of the storm weather that hit the area.
A pond exploded in the Israeli settlement on Monday, which led to the flow of water toward Jeftlek village, flooding more than 100 agricultural acres.
The agricultural crops were completely submerged and damaged while the Israeli settlers did not care less about what happened.
Dozens of greenhouses in the village were also damaged as a result of the storm weather that hit the area.
16 dec 2013
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened on Sunday Wadi Sofa dam east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, flooding dozens of Palestinian homes, local sources said.
The IOF opened its dams towards Palestinian houses without any prior warning for the second time since the stormy weather hit the region recently.
Rescue teams have evacuated trapped people from their flooded houses and transferred them to safe places and shelter centers.
Several Israeli earth dams have been established to the east of Gaza Strip, in order to benefit from rainwater and prevent its access to Gaza; however in such cases the Israeli occupation opens its dams toward the Strip to prevent swamping its agriculture lands.
Many residential areas and agricultural lands in Gaza were flooded when the Israeli authorities opened up the dams, which aggravated the population's suffering.
The Gaza Strip is currently under a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions caused by an unprecedented storm, where more than 1,000 houses and large areas of agricultural lands were flooded. Furthermore, two citizens died and hundreds were injured.
In a related context, Hamas Movement held on Sunday a meeting with Palestinian factions in Gaza Strip to discuss the winter storm's effects.
The spokesman for the movement Sami Abu Zahri said that this meeting came to evaluate the damages in the wake of the winter storm and the government's efforts to alleviate the people's suffering and to declare its future steps to compensate those affected by the storm.
During the meeting, the Palestinian factions discussed ways to take part in the disaster relief operations, praising the government's efforts in handling the crisis.
The IOF opened its dams towards Palestinian houses without any prior warning for the second time since the stormy weather hit the region recently.
Rescue teams have evacuated trapped people from their flooded houses and transferred them to safe places and shelter centers.
Several Israeli earth dams have been established to the east of Gaza Strip, in order to benefit from rainwater and prevent its access to Gaza; however in such cases the Israeli occupation opens its dams toward the Strip to prevent swamping its agriculture lands.
Many residential areas and agricultural lands in Gaza were flooded when the Israeli authorities opened up the dams, which aggravated the population's suffering.
The Gaza Strip is currently under a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions caused by an unprecedented storm, where more than 1,000 houses and large areas of agricultural lands were flooded. Furthermore, two citizens died and hundreds were injured.
In a related context, Hamas Movement held on Sunday a meeting with Palestinian factions in Gaza Strip to discuss the winter storm's effects.
The spokesman for the movement Sami Abu Zahri said that this meeting came to evaluate the damages in the wake of the winter storm and the government's efforts to alleviate the people's suffering and to declare its future steps to compensate those affected by the storm.
During the meeting, the Palestinian factions discussed ways to take part in the disaster relief operations, praising the government's efforts in handling the crisis.
15 dec 2013
Hundreds of houses in central Gaza Strip were flooded as the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Saturday afternoon opened the earth dams east of the town of Wadi Salaqa in Deir al-Balah. The IOF established many earth dams east of the Gaza Strip to collect rainwater to use it; however in case the levels of water increase they open these dams and water flows to Gaza.
Palestinian sources told Quds Press that the rescue teams and civil defense have evacuated 40 families including 200 people from the town of Wadi Salaqa and brought them to a shelter center.
The sources added that 300 families have been moved to the shelter center of Hussein School run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees "UNRWA" in Jabalya north of the Gaza Strip.
The Municipality of Gaza appealed to the residents living in low-lying areas in the Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes before the evening for fear their houses will be flooded with rainwater.
Chairman of the Emergency Committee in the town of Rafah Osama Abu Nakira confirmed that two houses in Rafah, southern Gaza, were seriously damaged, pointing out that a specialized engineering committee was formed to evacuate the hazardous areas.
He explained that the damages were caused by the heavy rainfall, and warned that many homes are threatened with collapse, especially in light of the poor infrastructure.
Abu Nakira stressed that civil defense and emergency committees have not stopped working since last Wednesday, and appealed to citizens to cooperate with the Committees and evacuate the houses threatened with collapse.
Palestinian sources told Quds Press that the rescue teams and civil defense have evacuated 40 families including 200 people from the town of Wadi Salaqa and brought them to a shelter center.
The sources added that 300 families have been moved to the shelter center of Hussein School run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees "UNRWA" in Jabalya north of the Gaza Strip.
The Municipality of Gaza appealed to the residents living in low-lying areas in the Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes before the evening for fear their houses will be flooded with rainwater.
Chairman of the Emergency Committee in the town of Rafah Osama Abu Nakira confirmed that two houses in Rafah, southern Gaza, were seriously damaged, pointing out that a specialized engineering committee was formed to evacuate the hazardous areas.
He explained that the damages were caused by the heavy rainfall, and warned that many homes are threatened with collapse, especially in light of the poor infrastructure.
Abu Nakira stressed that civil defense and emergency committees have not stopped working since last Wednesday, and appealed to citizens to cooperate with the Committees and evacuate the houses threatened with collapse.
14 dec 2013
Israeli occupation authorities opened up dams to the east of Gaza city on late Friday. Eyewitnesses said many residential areas and farming land east of Gaza city were flooded when the Israeli authorities opened up the dams.
The residents of the area appealed to the concerned authorities to intervene before sewage water completely submerge their properties.
Earlier on Friday, Chairman of Government's Disaster Response Committee Yasser Shanti said the Israeli authorities opened up dams just to the east of the border with the Gaza Strip earlier in the day.
He warned that the residential areas within the Gaza Valley would be flooding within hours, saying the move would flood areas in Moghraqa and other parts of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.
Shanti called upon residents of areas near the Gaza Valley to evacuate their homes in preparation for the anticipated flooding.
The Gaza Strip is currently under a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions caused by a historic storm front moving south across the Levant.
Fuel shortages have caused daily life in the Gaza Strip to grind slowly to a halt since early November, as power plants and water pumps are forced to shut down, cutting off access to basic necessities for Gaza residents.
Lack of diesel fuel is a result of the tightening of a seven-year-long blockade imposed on the territory by Israel with Egyptian support.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006.
The residents of the area appealed to the concerned authorities to intervene before sewage water completely submerge their properties.
Earlier on Friday, Chairman of Government's Disaster Response Committee Yasser Shanti said the Israeli authorities opened up dams just to the east of the border with the Gaza Strip earlier in the day.
He warned that the residential areas within the Gaza Valley would be flooding within hours, saying the move would flood areas in Moghraqa and other parts of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.
Shanti called upon residents of areas near the Gaza Valley to evacuate their homes in preparation for the anticipated flooding.
The Gaza Strip is currently under a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions caused by a historic storm front moving south across the Levant.
Fuel shortages have caused daily life in the Gaza Strip to grind slowly to a halt since early November, as power plants and water pumps are forced to shut down, cutting off access to basic necessities for Gaza residents.
Lack of diesel fuel is a result of the tightening of a seven-year-long blockade imposed on the territory by Israel with Egyptian support.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006.
13 dec 2013
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The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) have opened the floodgates of one of its dams in the eastern part of the Gaza Strip, flooding dozens of Palestinian houses in Deir al-Balah and al-Mashaalh eastern Gaza Strip.
Wadi al-Saka village's mayor confirmed that Israeli authorities opened the dam’s floodgates without any prior warning, flooding more than 20 houses. The houses of many Palestinians have been flooded and a number of people are trapped inside, while rescue teams tried to evacuate the trapped people. The waters from the dam flooded houses in Deir al-Balah, while municipal |
crews started using sand berms to reduce water flows.
Israeli authorities open sewege dams flooding east, central areas of Gaza
Israeli occupation authorities opened up dams to the east of Gaza city on late Friday. Eyewitnesses said many residential areas and farming land east of Gaza city were flooded when the Israeli authorities opened up the dams.
The residents of the area appealed to the concerned authorities to intervene before sewage water completely submerge their properties.
Earlier on Friday, Chairman of Government's Disaster Response Committee Yasser Shanti said the Israeli authorities opened up dams just to the east of the border with the Gaza Strip earlier in the day.
He warned that the residential areas within the Gaza Valley would be flooding within hours, saying the move would flood areas in Moghraqa and other parts of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.
Shanti called upon residents of areas near the Gaza Valley to evacuate their homes in preparation for the anticipated flooding.
The Gaza Strip is currently under a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions caused by a historic storm front moving south across the Levant.
Fuel shortages have caused daily life in the Gaza Strip to grind slowly to a halt since early November, as power plants and water pumps are forced to shut down, cutting off access to basic necessities for Gaza residents.
Lack of diesel fuel is a result of the tightening of a seven-year-long blockade imposed on the territory by Israel with Egyptian support.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006.
Israeli authorities open sewege dams flooding east, central areas of Gaza
Israeli occupation authorities opened up dams to the east of Gaza city on late Friday. Eyewitnesses said many residential areas and farming land east of Gaza city were flooded when the Israeli authorities opened up the dams.
The residents of the area appealed to the concerned authorities to intervene before sewage water completely submerge their properties.
Earlier on Friday, Chairman of Government's Disaster Response Committee Yasser Shanti said the Israeli authorities opened up dams just to the east of the border with the Gaza Strip earlier in the day.
He warned that the residential areas within the Gaza Valley would be flooding within hours, saying the move would flood areas in Moghraqa and other parts of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.
Shanti called upon residents of areas near the Gaza Valley to evacuate their homes in preparation for the anticipated flooding.
The Gaza Strip is currently under a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions caused by a historic storm front moving south across the Levant.
Fuel shortages have caused daily life in the Gaza Strip to grind slowly to a halt since early November, as power plants and water pumps are forced to shut down, cutting off access to basic necessities for Gaza residents.
Lack of diesel fuel is a result of the tightening of a seven-year-long blockade imposed on the territory by Israel with Egyptian support.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006.
9 dec 2013
Settlers in illegal settlements in the central West Bank area have started to pump untreated wastewater into the valleys and plains near Palestinian villages in Salfit district, a local researcher said Monday.
Khalid Maali told Ma'an that settlers took advantage of stormy weather to pump their sewage which mixed with rain water.
Ariel settlement, he said, has pumped untreated wastewater into al-Matwi valley in Salfit district contaminating rainwater which flowed into Palestinian lands.
He highlighted that sewage would eventually pollute ground water and springs in the area. Farmers, he added, "are talking about a river-like flow of water in al-Matwi valley.
Khalid Maali told Ma'an that settlers took advantage of stormy weather to pump their sewage which mixed with rain water.
Ariel settlement, he said, has pumped untreated wastewater into al-Matwi valley in Salfit district contaminating rainwater which flowed into Palestinian lands.
He highlighted that sewage would eventually pollute ground water and springs in the area. Farmers, he added, "are talking about a river-like flow of water in al-Matwi valley.
27 nov 2013
UN special rapporteur Richard Falk called for urgent action to address the power crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip that has left 1.7 million of its residents in a dire situation. "The situation in Gaza is at a point of near catastrophe," the UN official, who was appointed by the UN human rights council to monitor and report on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, warned in a press release on Tuesday.
"The fuel shortage and power cuts have undermined an already precarious infrastructure, severely disrupting the provision of basic services, including health, water and sanitation. The onset of winter is certain to make things even worse," he warned further.
He underlined that only less than half of Gaza’s total power needs are met, which disrupts specialized health services, such as kidney dialysis, operating theatres, blood banks, intensive care units and incubators.
Falk also highlighted the plight of Gazan patients who are unable to seek affordable specialized medical treatment in Egypt as a result of its closure of the Rafah border crossing since the military coup.
"We must not forget that the underlying cause of a lack of adequate medical facilities and specialized care in Gaza is a consequence of Israel’s illegal blockade," Falk said.
He emphasized that, under the present conditions, Israel has a special responsibility under international humanitarian law to take whatever measures necessary to protect the civilian population of Gaza against this mounting threat to their wellbeing.
"The failure to do so would be an aggravated instance of collective punishment, which is unconditionally prohibited by the fourth Geneva convention," Falk cautioned.
"For the past two weeks, approximately 3,000 residents, including children, living in or near the Gazan neighborhood of Azzeitoun have been wading through raw sewage on the streets after the largest sewage treatment facility in the area overflowed due to a power failure," he stated.
He also noted that other sewage treatment stations may soon run out of fuel for generators, which will result in more sewage overflowing onto the streets of Gaza.
The human rights official expressed his belief that the main trigger for the latest humanitarian crises in Gaza is Egypt’s ongoing crackdown on the vast network of tunnels and fuel tanks near the southern border of Gaza, which were used by the Gazans to avoid some of the hardships associated with the Israeli blockade imposed since 2007.
"The fuel shortage and power cuts have undermined an already precarious infrastructure, severely disrupting the provision of basic services, including health, water and sanitation. The onset of winter is certain to make things even worse," he warned further.
He underlined that only less than half of Gaza’s total power needs are met, which disrupts specialized health services, such as kidney dialysis, operating theatres, blood banks, intensive care units and incubators.
Falk also highlighted the plight of Gazan patients who are unable to seek affordable specialized medical treatment in Egypt as a result of its closure of the Rafah border crossing since the military coup.
"We must not forget that the underlying cause of a lack of adequate medical facilities and specialized care in Gaza is a consequence of Israel’s illegal blockade," Falk said.
He emphasized that, under the present conditions, Israel has a special responsibility under international humanitarian law to take whatever measures necessary to protect the civilian population of Gaza against this mounting threat to their wellbeing.
"The failure to do so would be an aggravated instance of collective punishment, which is unconditionally prohibited by the fourth Geneva convention," Falk cautioned.
"For the past two weeks, approximately 3,000 residents, including children, living in or near the Gazan neighborhood of Azzeitoun have been wading through raw sewage on the streets after the largest sewage treatment facility in the area overflowed due to a power failure," he stated.
He also noted that other sewage treatment stations may soon run out of fuel for generators, which will result in more sewage overflowing onto the streets of Gaza.
The human rights official expressed his belief that the main trigger for the latest humanitarian crises in Gaza is Egypt’s ongoing crackdown on the vast network of tunnels and fuel tanks near the southern border of Gaza, which were used by the Gazans to avoid some of the hardships associated with the Israeli blockade imposed since 2007.
25 nov 2013
Dozens of Israeli settlers pumped on Monday the waste water toward Palestinian farmlands in Nahalin village near Bethlehem southern the West Bank. Settlers from Beitar Illit settlement targeted the land of Ayn Fares area in the west of Nahalin village, leading to great loses.
Media sources indicated that this crime happens repeatedly to prevent the farmers from reaching their lands.
Media sources indicated that this crime happens repeatedly to prevent the farmers from reaching their lands.
20 nov 2013
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed on Tuesday Bardala village in the Jordan Valley and ordered its Palestinian natives to evacuate their homes. Local sources reported that Israeli troops raided the tents of the villagers and gave them until the first of December to leave the village.
The sources affirmed that the structures of the village had been built tens of years ago and its lands belong to the natives, adding that the villagers use some of the tents and structures they had built on their own lands for agricultural purposes.
For his part, Aref Daraghmeh, head of the Palestinian municipal council in the Jordan Valley area, appealed to the Palestinian Authority and human rights groups to stand by the Bardala villagers and curb Israel's violations against them.
In a separate incident, dozens of Jewish settlers illegally living in Palestinian-owned areas in the Jordan Valley established a settlement outpost in the same place where an Israeli officer was killed last month.
According to Maariv newspaper on Tuesday, the settlers managed to provide their outpost with electricity and started to connect it with the water and sewage networks in the area.
The sources affirmed that the structures of the village had been built tens of years ago and its lands belong to the natives, adding that the villagers use some of the tents and structures they had built on their own lands for agricultural purposes.
For his part, Aref Daraghmeh, head of the Palestinian municipal council in the Jordan Valley area, appealed to the Palestinian Authority and human rights groups to stand by the Bardala villagers and curb Israel's violations against them.
In a separate incident, dozens of Jewish settlers illegally living in Palestinian-owned areas in the Jordan Valley established a settlement outpost in the same place where an Israeli officer was killed last month.
According to Maariv newspaper on Tuesday, the settlers managed to provide their outpost with electricity and started to connect it with the water and sewage networks in the area.
17 nov 2013
Palestinian children try to cross a waste water - flooded street in Gaza City, Nov. 14, 2013.
Children waded through sewage submerging the streets of a central Gaza neighborhood on Thursday, a day after one of the blockaded Palestinian enclave's largest waste water treatment plants stopped for lack of fuel. Fetid muck, which bubbles up from manholes and overflows from the idle plant when waste goes untreated, could soon spill into the homes of tens of thousands more residents in downtown Gaza City, officials and residents said.
Egypt's months-long crackdown on cross-border smuggling tunnels that used to bring fuel in cheaply has already forced Gaza's only power plant to stop, meaning over two weeks of daily 12-hour blackouts for the territory's 1.8 million residents.
“This is the start of a catastrophe and unless the world listens to our cries, a real disaster may hit Gaza and its people,” Gaza municipality's Sa'ad El-Deen Al-Tbash said.
“This is a humanitarian, not a political issue. Gaza's children did nothing to deserve being stuck in sewage,” he told Reuters.
Gazan municipality officials said the treatment plant served 120,000 residents. They warned that other waste water facilities may soon run out of petrol to fuel generators.
Along one street, passersby covered their noses, and some residents driving donkey carts helped those slogging through pools of waste.
Egypt's closure of most of the estimated 1,200 tunnels has virtually stopped Egyptian fuel coming into Gaza, forcing Palestinians to buy Israeli imported petrol at double the price - 6.7 shekels ($1.9) a liter.
(Israel) has imposed its own blockade on Gaza, limitedly allowing in fuel and a restricted list of imports since 2007.
Mixing fuel
Unable to buy the expensive Israeli fuel, some Gaza taxi drivers have looked for alternatives in their kitchens, using gas from domestic tanks or mixing cooking oil with diesel.
“I can't fill my car with Israeli petrol ... I couldn't make a living if I did,” said a Gaza taxi driver who installed a bottle of cooking gas in his vehicle.
He asked not to give his name to avoid hefty police fines for using the fuels, which are deemed a health hazard.
Despite the risks, the practice is widespread.
“Passing through some Gaza streets, it smells like a big pot of french fries,” quipped one Gaza Facebook user.
Gaza economist Maher Al-Tabbaa' said the shortages of fuel and power meant that many businesses could not afford to run a generator, which costs about 100 shekels ($28.5) an hour.
“The continuing stoppage of the Gaza power plant for 18 hours a day foreshadows a real catastrophe that might affect the basic food security of the people as well as the health and education sectors,” Tabbaa' said.
The fuel shortage is affecting life at every level.
Residents have taken to planning their social lives around the power cuts. Many make sure not to leave homes in the evening without a torch.
“The first question someone asks when invited over by a friend is 'will there be electricity? I don't want to climb the stairs',” said Ali Mohammed, an electrician.
“I blame the whole world,” he said.
Children waded through sewage submerging the streets of a central Gaza neighborhood on Thursday, a day after one of the blockaded Palestinian enclave's largest waste water treatment plants stopped for lack of fuel. Fetid muck, which bubbles up from manholes and overflows from the idle plant when waste goes untreated, could soon spill into the homes of tens of thousands more residents in downtown Gaza City, officials and residents said.
Egypt's months-long crackdown on cross-border smuggling tunnels that used to bring fuel in cheaply has already forced Gaza's only power plant to stop, meaning over two weeks of daily 12-hour blackouts for the territory's 1.8 million residents.
“This is the start of a catastrophe and unless the world listens to our cries, a real disaster may hit Gaza and its people,” Gaza municipality's Sa'ad El-Deen Al-Tbash said.
“This is a humanitarian, not a political issue. Gaza's children did nothing to deserve being stuck in sewage,” he told Reuters.
Gazan municipality officials said the treatment plant served 120,000 residents. They warned that other waste water facilities may soon run out of petrol to fuel generators.
Along one street, passersby covered their noses, and some residents driving donkey carts helped those slogging through pools of waste.
Egypt's closure of most of the estimated 1,200 tunnels has virtually stopped Egyptian fuel coming into Gaza, forcing Palestinians to buy Israeli imported petrol at double the price - 6.7 shekels ($1.9) a liter.
(Israel) has imposed its own blockade on Gaza, limitedly allowing in fuel and a restricted list of imports since 2007.
Mixing fuel
Unable to buy the expensive Israeli fuel, some Gaza taxi drivers have looked for alternatives in their kitchens, using gas from domestic tanks or mixing cooking oil with diesel.
“I can't fill my car with Israeli petrol ... I couldn't make a living if I did,” said a Gaza taxi driver who installed a bottle of cooking gas in his vehicle.
He asked not to give his name to avoid hefty police fines for using the fuels, which are deemed a health hazard.
Despite the risks, the practice is widespread.
“Passing through some Gaza streets, it smells like a big pot of french fries,” quipped one Gaza Facebook user.
Gaza economist Maher Al-Tabbaa' said the shortages of fuel and power meant that many businesses could not afford to run a generator, which costs about 100 shekels ($28.5) an hour.
“The continuing stoppage of the Gaza power plant for 18 hours a day foreshadows a real catastrophe that might affect the basic food security of the people as well as the health and education sectors,” Tabbaa' said.
The fuel shortage is affecting life at every level.
Residents have taken to planning their social lives around the power cuts. Many make sure not to leave homes in the evening without a torch.
“The first question someone asks when invited over by a friend is 'will there be electricity? I don't want to climb the stairs',” said Ali Mohammed, an electrician.
“I blame the whole world,” he said.
By Julie Webb-Pullman
As streets in Gaza flow with excrement, as families stay awake until 2am to take advantage of the two hours that water will flow through the taps – if they are lucky – the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, celebrated the UN General Assembly’s decision declaring 19th of November as UN World Toilet Day.
The irony will not escape Palestinians in Gaza – they must be asking themselves “Is she for real? Or is it just a very cynical preliminary to announcing Gaza’s latest distinction – from being the largest open air prison in the world, to being the largest open air toilet?"
“I hope this declaration galvanises national and international action to reach the billions of people who still do not benefit from this basic human right,” the Special Rapporteur said in a Press Release dated 15 November, the day after the al-Sabra neighbourhood in al-Zaytoun, Gaza City, was flooded with sewage.
Perhaps she could make a special effort to contact Israel and Egypt directly, being the UN member states that are preventing the entry of fuel supplies into Gaza necessary to run the power plant that provides the electricity to run the sanitation and water pumps that would enable Gazans to enjoy this ‘basic human right.’
Perhaps she could make a special effort to remind the Palestinian Authority (PA) to take off their blinkers and ‘observe’ the conditions of their fellow statesmen and women in Gaza, and maybe even suggest the PA cease colluding with Israel in extorting exorbitant prices for fuel from the besieged Gazan authorities – fuel which the European Community has funded, but which both Israel and the Palestinian Authority are seeking to profiteer from by imposing on Gaza excessive additional price rises (Israel), and taxes (the PA).
And perhaps the United Nations and its member states could ‘put their money where their mouth is’ – they still have three days in which to clean up their act, and ensure that World Toilet Day is not the day that Gaza is officially accorded that questionable distinction.
As streets in Gaza flow with excrement, as families stay awake until 2am to take advantage of the two hours that water will flow through the taps – if they are lucky – the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, celebrated the UN General Assembly’s decision declaring 19th of November as UN World Toilet Day.
The irony will not escape Palestinians in Gaza – they must be asking themselves “Is she for real? Or is it just a very cynical preliminary to announcing Gaza’s latest distinction – from being the largest open air prison in the world, to being the largest open air toilet?"
“I hope this declaration galvanises national and international action to reach the billions of people who still do not benefit from this basic human right,” the Special Rapporteur said in a Press Release dated 15 November, the day after the al-Sabra neighbourhood in al-Zaytoun, Gaza City, was flooded with sewage.
Perhaps she could make a special effort to contact Israel and Egypt directly, being the UN member states that are preventing the entry of fuel supplies into Gaza necessary to run the power plant that provides the electricity to run the sanitation and water pumps that would enable Gazans to enjoy this ‘basic human right.’
Perhaps she could make a special effort to remind the Palestinian Authority (PA) to take off their blinkers and ‘observe’ the conditions of their fellow statesmen and women in Gaza, and maybe even suggest the PA cease colluding with Israel in extorting exorbitant prices for fuel from the besieged Gazan authorities – fuel which the European Community has funded, but which both Israel and the Palestinian Authority are seeking to profiteer from by imposing on Gaza excessive additional price rises (Israel), and taxes (the PA).
And perhaps the United Nations and its member states could ‘put their money where their mouth is’ – they still have three days in which to clean up their act, and ensure that World Toilet Day is not the day that Gaza is officially accorded that questionable distinction.
14 nov 2013
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A shortage of electricity in the besieged Gaza Strip has caused sewage from a treatment plant to overflow onto the streets, a Palestinian official has said.
Saed al-Atbash of the Gaza City wastewater department said on Wednesday that the power shortage has disrupted the plant’s waste processing, The Associated Press reported. He added that the spillage could harm the environment and affect 20,000 people. Fuel and electricity shortages in Gaza have worsened in recent months due to Egypt’ closure of Gaza tunnels. These tunnels are the only lifeline for Palestinians living under the Israeli siege. |
Gaza’s sole power plant supplies up to 65 megawatts, about a third of the enclave’s electricity needs.
However, with the severe fuel shortage, power cuts have recently been lasting for 12 hours daily.
Gaza has been blockaded since June 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
The apartheid regime of Israel denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.
Electricity Shortages in Gaza Cause Sewage Overflow
The ongoing electricity shortage in the Gaza Strip caused sewage from a waste treatment plant to overflow onto the streets, Press TV reports.
Saed al-Atbash, of the Gaza City wastewater department said the spillage could affect some 20,000 people, and be harmful to the natural environment.
Due to Egypt’s destruction of tunnels in and out of the besieged Gaza Strip, fuel and electricity shortages have worsened in recent months. Power cuts have reached 12 hours daily.
However, with the severe fuel shortage, power cuts have recently been lasting for 12 hours daily.
Gaza has been blockaded since June 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
The apartheid regime of Israel denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.
Electricity Shortages in Gaza Cause Sewage Overflow
The ongoing electricity shortage in the Gaza Strip caused sewage from a waste treatment plant to overflow onto the streets, Press TV reports.
Saed al-Atbash, of the Gaza City wastewater department said the spillage could affect some 20,000 people, and be harmful to the natural environment.
Due to Egypt’s destruction of tunnels in and out of the besieged Gaza Strip, fuel and electricity shortages have worsened in recent months. Power cuts have reached 12 hours daily.
13 nov 2013
Israeli settlers have poured toxic waste in agricultural lands in Bruqin village west of Salfit, before fleeing the scene, local sources said. Bruqin Mayor confirmed that an Israeli vehicle carrying a yellow registration plate has poured a sticky white substance in Bakaan area 150 meters away from the houses.
The sources added that the toxic substance led to the death of ten heads of cattle, belonging to the farmer Mohamed Samara.
For his part, researcher Khaled Maali confirmed that dozens of Israeli factories surrounding Bruqin village are used to pouring toxic waste in agricultural lands and spewing toxic gases in the air, warning of serious environmental disaster.
Maali called on local and international environmental organizations to visit Salfit and document the pollution caused in the area by Israeli factories.
Meanwhile, Israeli settlers have tried to confiscate Palestinian land in Salfit in order to annex it to their settlement.
The settlers have planted two days ago seedlings in the land, claiming that the seedlings were planted some time ago in an attempt to confiscate the land.
The farmers protested against settlers' attempts to steal their agricultural lands.
The sources added that the toxic substance led to the death of ten heads of cattle, belonging to the farmer Mohamed Samara.
For his part, researcher Khaled Maali confirmed that dozens of Israeli factories surrounding Bruqin village are used to pouring toxic waste in agricultural lands and spewing toxic gases in the air, warning of serious environmental disaster.
Maali called on local and international environmental organizations to visit Salfit and document the pollution caused in the area by Israeli factories.
Meanwhile, Israeli settlers have tried to confiscate Palestinian land in Salfit in order to annex it to their settlement.
The settlers have planted two days ago seedlings in the land, claiming that the seedlings were planted some time ago in an attempt to confiscate the land.
The farmers protested against settlers' attempts to steal their agricultural lands.
4 nov 2013
Health minister in the Gaza government Mufid Al-Makhalalaty warned of the serious implications on the health and environmental services after stopping the operation of Gaza's only power plant. The minister warned of a looming humanitarian disaster due to the continued oppressive and illegal Israeli siege imposed on 1.8 million people in the strip.
The besieged Strip suffers an acute power crisis after the only power station has run out of fuel on Friday, leaving Gaza facing up to 12 hours of power cuts per day.
Shutting down of Gaza's sole power plant would cause serious health and environmental problems after the sewage treatment plants stopped working due to lack of fuel, he said.
The crisis led to power cuts of up to 18 hours a day, causing a real catastrophe in the besieged Strip's 14 hospitals and 54 medical centers, particularly emergency departments, intensive care units and operating rooms, nurseries, medical laboratory, radiology and blood banks and all health services in the Gaza Strip, he added.
Health minister confirmed that pumping sewage into the Mediterranean would lead to a real environmental disaster as people swim in the sea and it also affects drinking water as the pollutants could harm the ground water.
The minister called on PA and human rights organizations including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations and the World Health Organization to intervene immediately to pressure Israeli authorities to allow the entry of the needed fuel quantity to operate the power plant.
The besieged Strip suffers an acute power crisis after the only power station has run out of fuel on Friday, leaving Gaza facing up to 12 hours of power cuts per day.
Shutting down of Gaza's sole power plant would cause serious health and environmental problems after the sewage treatment plants stopped working due to lack of fuel, he said.
The crisis led to power cuts of up to 18 hours a day, causing a real catastrophe in the besieged Strip's 14 hospitals and 54 medical centers, particularly emergency departments, intensive care units and operating rooms, nurseries, medical laboratory, radiology and blood banks and all health services in the Gaza Strip, he added.
Health minister confirmed that pumping sewage into the Mediterranean would lead to a real environmental disaster as people swim in the sea and it also affects drinking water as the pollutants could harm the ground water.
The minister called on PA and human rights organizations including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations and the World Health Organization to intervene immediately to pressure Israeli authorities to allow the entry of the needed fuel quantity to operate the power plant.
30 oct 2013
Residents of Bruqin village west of Salfit complained about the health crisis caused by the continuous flow of settlements sewage near their homes. The villagers called on the competent authorities and human rights organizations to stop this phenomenon, that turned the life in their town into a painful reality, especially in the valley area.
The residents expressed anger due to the bad smell and the big numbers of mosquitoes, that are causing many diseases, especially for children.
The residents expressed anger due to the bad smell and the big numbers of mosquitoes, that are causing many diseases, especially for children.
22 oct 2013
A number of extremist Israeli settlers used sewage water to flood Palestinian farmlands in the Al-Khader town, south of the West bank city of Bethlehem.
Head of the Al-Khader Local Council, Tawfiq Salah, stated that settlers of the Efrat settlement, built on lands that belongs to the Al-Khader residents, drowned the lands with sewage water, flooding grapevines and other agricultural lands.
Salah said that the lands are located in Al-Abyar and the Al-Bassa areas, close to the settlement.
He further stated that this attack is not the first of its kind, and that the same areas have been repeatedly targeted by the settlement causing significance to farmlands, in addition to posing health hazards and foul smell.
Salah added that the settlers and the soldiers have been escalating their assaults, closing agricultural lands in Ein Al-Qassis and Ein Masour areas, west of the Al-Khader, by placing sand hills, preventing the residents from reaching their lands.
Head of the Al-Khader Local Council, Tawfiq Salah, stated that settlers of the Efrat settlement, built on lands that belongs to the Al-Khader residents, drowned the lands with sewage water, flooding grapevines and other agricultural lands.
Salah said that the lands are located in Al-Abyar and the Al-Bassa areas, close to the settlement.
He further stated that this attack is not the first of its kind, and that the same areas have been repeatedly targeted by the settlement causing significance to farmlands, in addition to posing health hazards and foul smell.
Salah added that the settlers and the soldiers have been escalating their assaults, closing agricultural lands in Ein Al-Qassis and Ein Masour areas, west of the Al-Khader, by placing sand hills, preventing the residents from reaching their lands.
8 oct 2013
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Minister of Local Government Mohammed al-Farra warned of an impending environmental disaster in the Gaza Strip due to the disruption of sewage treatment system. Farra said during a press conference held on the shore of the Gaza sea "the Gaza Strip sector is on the verge of an environmental disaster, for the municipalities cannot run sewage treatment plants,"
The Gaza official warned that "the wastewater may flow into the residential houses at any moment," He explained that the closure of the tunnels impacted his ministry work, most notably due to the lack of building materials and suspension of 90% of the construction projects of the ministry, and to shortage of diesel fuel which led to the inability of municipalities to run sewage plants. |
"In light of the tunnels destruction, the economic capacity of many citizens have waned and thus they could not pay municipal utility bills, which has had negative impact on ministry projects and plans," he said.
Farra urged the Ramallah government to allow access of diesel fuel to Gaza without taxing it. He also demanded Egyptian authorities to quickly implement the project of electric link between Egypt and Gaza.
He pointed out that 90,000 cubic meters of wastewater are pumped into the Gaza sea every day without treatment.
Farra urged the Ramallah government to allow access of diesel fuel to Gaza without taxing it. He also demanded Egyptian authorities to quickly implement the project of electric link between Egypt and Gaza.
He pointed out that 90,000 cubic meters of wastewater are pumped into the Gaza sea every day without treatment.
30 sept 2013
Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) uses feces of Israeli residents and settlers as a form of bio-warfare against Palestinian farmers in the villages of Wadi Fuqeen and Nahaleen. Additionally, the Israeli army has developed a large vehicle for spraying sewage waste and feces at Palestinian protestors and homes, reportedly, in the towns of Abu Dis, Aizariah, Bil’in and Nabi Saleh.
Spraying sewage waste has become so common a weapon used by the Israeli Army that the combination of sewage water, feces, and human urine has been named “skunk”. B'Tselem reports that ‘skunk’ and the vehicle used to disperse it, have been added to Israel's armory for crowd control.
On 3 June of this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) js present in sewage samples collected from Israel. Additionally, human feces contain endless forms of bacterial and biological contaminants. Given this information, the intentional use of sewage waste against Palestinians qualifies as bio-warfare.
Feces as Bio-Warfare Against Farmers
Spraying sewage waste has become so common a weapon used by the Israeli Army that the combination of sewage water, feces, and human urine has been named “skunk”. B'Tselem reports that ‘skunk’ and the vehicle used to disperse it, have been added to Israel's armory for crowd control.
On 3 June of this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) js present in sewage samples collected from Israel. Additionally, human feces contain endless forms of bacterial and biological contaminants. Given this information, the intentional use of sewage waste against Palestinians qualifies as bio-warfare.
Feces as Bio-Warfare Against Farmers
For several days, raw sewage from the illegal settlement of Beitar Illit has been contaminating Palestinian farmers’ fields in the village of Wadi Fuqeen. The effects of the sewage water include damage to crops, permanent poisoning of the land, and the potential of spreading viruses and diseases.
The settlement of Beitar Illit, which was built in 1986, is now illegally occupied by 50,000 Israeli settlers. In 2006 the settlement began to dispose of its wastewater by dumping it on what remains of Wadi Fukin.
As a result, 50-60 dunams (50,000 – 60,000 square meters) of agricultural land is now unusable, olive and almond crops have been ruined, and the spring water is unsafe to drink.
The residents and farmers, who are heavily dependent on fresh spring water and fertile soil, are now forced to purchase water from an Israeli company that steals and resells water from an aquifer located beneath the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.
The Palestinian residents of the neighboring Nahaleen are facing the same indignity and crime against their water, land, and health.
Tragically, Wadi Fuqeen and Nahaleen, which have been suffering these outflows of sewage about twice a week since 2006, are not the only Palestinian villages targeted with Israeli sewage.
Feces as Bio-Warfare Against Regular Citizens and Protestors
Locals in the village of Abu Dis reported on September 25 that Israeli Occupation Force officials drove a large vehicle containing feces around main streets, and sprayed the sewage water ‘everywhere’ and on everything.
Locals reported, “It entered the houses and the kids’ rooms – and it didn’t clear like teargas does. It hung around in the fabric inside houses and made everyone fear for their health.” They added, “Rumors of possible viruses are going around.”
A similar story of intentional sewage spraying is reported to have occurred in the nearby town of Aizariah on September 20. In March of this year, Middle East Monitor reported that Israeli forces sprayed Palestinian homes in the village of Nabi Saleh as a punishment for organizing weekly protests against the Apartheid Wall.
The IOF is increasing its use of feces as a weapon of bio-warfare, annexation, and occupation.
The settlement of Beitar Illit, which was built in 1986, is now illegally occupied by 50,000 Israeli settlers. In 2006 the settlement began to dispose of its wastewater by dumping it on what remains of Wadi Fukin.
As a result, 50-60 dunams (50,000 – 60,000 square meters) of agricultural land is now unusable, olive and almond crops have been ruined, and the spring water is unsafe to drink.
The residents and farmers, who are heavily dependent on fresh spring water and fertile soil, are now forced to purchase water from an Israeli company that steals and resells water from an aquifer located beneath the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.
The Palestinian residents of the neighboring Nahaleen are facing the same indignity and crime against their water, land, and health.
Tragically, Wadi Fuqeen and Nahaleen, which have been suffering these outflows of sewage about twice a week since 2006, are not the only Palestinian villages targeted with Israeli sewage.
Feces as Bio-Warfare Against Regular Citizens and Protestors
Locals in the village of Abu Dis reported on September 25 that Israeli Occupation Force officials drove a large vehicle containing feces around main streets, and sprayed the sewage water ‘everywhere’ and on everything.
Locals reported, “It entered the houses and the kids’ rooms – and it didn’t clear like teargas does. It hung around in the fabric inside houses and made everyone fear for their health.” They added, “Rumors of possible viruses are going around.”
A similar story of intentional sewage spraying is reported to have occurred in the nearby town of Aizariah on September 20. In March of this year, Middle East Monitor reported that Israeli forces sprayed Palestinian homes in the village of Nabi Saleh as a punishment for organizing weekly protests against the Apartheid Wall.
The IOF is increasing its use of feces as a weapon of bio-warfare, annexation, and occupation.
29 sept 2013
Waste water from Ariel settlement is causing environmental damage to natural areas in Salfit, a Palestinian researcher said Sunday.
Khalid Maali, a researcher on settlement affairs, told Ma'an that the Israeli settlement in the West Bank, home to some 20,000 settlers, releases nearly 300,000 liters of sewage water daily into the neighboring valley of al-Matwi.
The area used to be a natural tourism park but sewage water from Ariel has caused severe damage to the soil, and locals can no longer stand the smell, Maali said.
Waste water from Ariel also damages Palestinian agricultural crops and pollutes water sources used by livestock.
Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank have caused severe environmental degradation to land and water resources in the occupied West Bank, the Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem says.
The research group estimates that that 80 percent of domestic water from Israeli settlements ends up as waste water, which often flows into surrounding Palestinian villages.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law. The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Khalid Maali, a researcher on settlement affairs, told Ma'an that the Israeli settlement in the West Bank, home to some 20,000 settlers, releases nearly 300,000 liters of sewage water daily into the neighboring valley of al-Matwi.
The area used to be a natural tourism park but sewage water from Ariel has caused severe damage to the soil, and locals can no longer stand the smell, Maali said.
Waste water from Ariel also damages Palestinian agricultural crops and pollutes water sources used by livestock.
Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank have caused severe environmental degradation to land and water resources in the occupied West Bank, the Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem says.
The research group estimates that that 80 percent of domestic water from Israeli settlements ends up as waste water, which often flows into surrounding Palestinian villages.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law. The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
19 sept 2013
The Palestinian Authority, the European Union (EU) and the German Government marked an award of more than € 40 million to construct a wastewater treatment plant in East Nablus, EU said in a press release.
The large-scale project is funded through a € 20 million contribution by the EU, a € 21,8 million contribution by the German government as well as a € 3,4 million contribution by Municipality of Nablus and will be implemented via the German KfW Development Bank.
The project includes the cooperation of a number of Palestinian stakeholders.
The signing ceremony took place at the Prime Minister Office in Ramallah in the presence of the Dr. Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian Prime Minister, John Gatt-Rutter, EU Representative, Ms. Barbara Wolf, Head of the Representative Office of the Federal Republic of Germany Ramallah, Mohammad Abu Ramadan, State Minister for Planning Affairs, Dr. Shaddad Attili, Head of the Palestinian Water Authority, Mr. Wolfgang Reuss, KfW Director of North Africa and Middle East, and Representatives of the Mayor of Nablus Ghassan Shaka´a.
It's worth noting that currently, wastewater from East of Nablus flows untreated into the environment reaching agricultural areas and surrounding villages, therefore this project will significantly reduce health risks for the population of Nablus and contamination of the environment. It will also allow the re-use of treated wastewater in agriculture hence conserving limited groundwater resources in Palestine.
The project includes the construction of a central wastewater treatment plant to serve the eastern part of Nablus city and six surrounding villages of Azmut, Salem, Deir Al-Hatab, Kafer Qalil, Rujeeb and Beit Furik. It also includes new collection systems and extension of existing collection systems. Further, initial two years operational assistance to Nablus Municipality in operating the new plant, wastewater pre-treatment facilitates for selected industries and a pilot reuse scheme of treated wastewater in agriculture are financed within the project.
"Severe water shortages and acute water quality problems continue to negatively affect the lives and livelihoods of many Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, said the EU Representative, John Gatt-Rutter
"In an effort to improve the situation, the EU has since 2011 included water and sanitation as priority sectors within its overall financial assistance to the Palestinian people. Today's ceremony marks the beginning of an ambitious project which can make a real difference to the quality of life of Palestinians in Nablus and the surrounding villages. It is also a clear example of how the EU works together with its member states to bring tangible results for the benefit of the Palestinian people", added the EU Representative.
Barbara Wolf, Head of the Representative Office of the Federal Republic of Germany Ramallah, said "Treatment facilities like the one in Nablus East improve the health and environmental situation of Palestinians. The improvement of the water and wastewater services is one of the core areas of support of the German Government in the Palestinian Territories.
"We are proud to have cooperated with the Palestinian side on the recently inaugurated Nablus West Wastewater Treatment Plant and look forward to continuing this partnership also at the eastern side of Nablus," she also said.
"This project will benefit up to 150,000 people in the region and, through an effective collection and treatment of wastewater will protect water resources and reduce health risks," said Wolfgang Reuss, KfW Director of North Africa and Middle East.
The EU is a major actor in health and environmental protection in Palestine. Since 2008 it has invested nearly €90 million in the water and sanitation and solid waste management sectors.
In the West Bank, apart from Nablus, the EU is supporting the development of wastewater treatment plants also in other areas where water supply is scarce, such as Tubas. In Gaza, the EU is investing both in large-scale solid waste management programmes and also in medium-scale projects with high impact, such as the construction of a desalination facility that will provide safe water to thousands of Gazans.
The German Government currently implements projects worth more than € 240 million for supporting the water and wastewater sector. Major projects include the Al-Bireh, Nablus West and Gaza City wastewater treatment plants as well as technical assistance and capacity building to service providers and the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA).
It's worth mentioning that KfW Development Bank is Germany's leading development bank and an integral part of KfW. It implements Germany´s Financial Cooperation (FC) with developing countries on behalf of the Federal German Government. Its goal is to combat poverty, secure peace, protect the environment and the climate and make globalisation fair. KfW is a competent and strategic advisor on current development issues and has a local Office in Al-Bireh/Ramallah.
The large-scale project is funded through a € 20 million contribution by the EU, a € 21,8 million contribution by the German government as well as a € 3,4 million contribution by Municipality of Nablus and will be implemented via the German KfW Development Bank.
The project includes the cooperation of a number of Palestinian stakeholders.
The signing ceremony took place at the Prime Minister Office in Ramallah in the presence of the Dr. Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian Prime Minister, John Gatt-Rutter, EU Representative, Ms. Barbara Wolf, Head of the Representative Office of the Federal Republic of Germany Ramallah, Mohammad Abu Ramadan, State Minister for Planning Affairs, Dr. Shaddad Attili, Head of the Palestinian Water Authority, Mr. Wolfgang Reuss, KfW Director of North Africa and Middle East, and Representatives of the Mayor of Nablus Ghassan Shaka´a.
It's worth noting that currently, wastewater from East of Nablus flows untreated into the environment reaching agricultural areas and surrounding villages, therefore this project will significantly reduce health risks for the population of Nablus and contamination of the environment. It will also allow the re-use of treated wastewater in agriculture hence conserving limited groundwater resources in Palestine.
The project includes the construction of a central wastewater treatment plant to serve the eastern part of Nablus city and six surrounding villages of Azmut, Salem, Deir Al-Hatab, Kafer Qalil, Rujeeb and Beit Furik. It also includes new collection systems and extension of existing collection systems. Further, initial two years operational assistance to Nablus Municipality in operating the new plant, wastewater pre-treatment facilitates for selected industries and a pilot reuse scheme of treated wastewater in agriculture are financed within the project.
"Severe water shortages and acute water quality problems continue to negatively affect the lives and livelihoods of many Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, said the EU Representative, John Gatt-Rutter
"In an effort to improve the situation, the EU has since 2011 included water and sanitation as priority sectors within its overall financial assistance to the Palestinian people. Today's ceremony marks the beginning of an ambitious project which can make a real difference to the quality of life of Palestinians in Nablus and the surrounding villages. It is also a clear example of how the EU works together with its member states to bring tangible results for the benefit of the Palestinian people", added the EU Representative.
Barbara Wolf, Head of the Representative Office of the Federal Republic of Germany Ramallah, said "Treatment facilities like the one in Nablus East improve the health and environmental situation of Palestinians. The improvement of the water and wastewater services is one of the core areas of support of the German Government in the Palestinian Territories.
"We are proud to have cooperated with the Palestinian side on the recently inaugurated Nablus West Wastewater Treatment Plant and look forward to continuing this partnership also at the eastern side of Nablus," she also said.
"This project will benefit up to 150,000 people in the region and, through an effective collection and treatment of wastewater will protect water resources and reduce health risks," said Wolfgang Reuss, KfW Director of North Africa and Middle East.
The EU is a major actor in health and environmental protection in Palestine. Since 2008 it has invested nearly €90 million in the water and sanitation and solid waste management sectors.
In the West Bank, apart from Nablus, the EU is supporting the development of wastewater treatment plants also in other areas where water supply is scarce, such as Tubas. In Gaza, the EU is investing both in large-scale solid waste management programmes and also in medium-scale projects with high impact, such as the construction of a desalination facility that will provide safe water to thousands of Gazans.
The German Government currently implements projects worth more than € 240 million for supporting the water and wastewater sector. Major projects include the Al-Bireh, Nablus West and Gaza City wastewater treatment plants as well as technical assistance and capacity building to service providers and the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA).
It's worth mentioning that KfW Development Bank is Germany's leading development bank and an integral part of KfW. It implements Germany´s Financial Cooperation (FC) with developing countries on behalf of the Federal German Government. Its goal is to combat poverty, secure peace, protect the environment and the climate and make globalisation fair. KfW is a competent and strategic advisor on current development issues and has a local Office in Al-Bireh/Ramallah.
17 sept 2013
The Palestinian government warned of an environmental disaster in Gaza due to the siege, especially as untreated sewage water is pumped into the sea, which increases the problem of pollution and its impact on the environmental situation and human health. Minister of Local Government, Dr. Mohammed Al-Farra said: "The municipalities in the Gaza Strip began to pump sewage water into the sea, after sewage treatment plants stopped working due to lack of fuel."
He expected that the municipalities will officially announce next Thursday that they are out of fuel as a result of the tightening of the siege on Gaza, the demolition of tunnels on the borders with Egypt, and the prevention of the entry of the Egyptian diesel fuel to the Gaza Strip.
He added: "All the countries of the Mediterranean are threatened by the pollution if the blockade continues."
Farra pointed out that the epidemics and health crises will not be prevented by geographical borders, in reference to Israel.
He appealed to international and humanitarian organizations to shoulder their responsibilities and exert pressure on Israel, to lift the siege on Gaza and to allow necessary materials into the Strip before it is too late.
The Gaza Strip has been suffering from a tight blockade for the seventh year running. However, the siege has dramatically intensified two months ago after the dismissal of the Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and the destruction of almost all tunnels between Gaza and Egypt by the Egyptian army.
He expected that the municipalities will officially announce next Thursday that they are out of fuel as a result of the tightening of the siege on Gaza, the demolition of tunnels on the borders with Egypt, and the prevention of the entry of the Egyptian diesel fuel to the Gaza Strip.
He added: "All the countries of the Mediterranean are threatened by the pollution if the blockade continues."
Farra pointed out that the epidemics and health crises will not be prevented by geographical borders, in reference to Israel.
He appealed to international and humanitarian organizations to shoulder their responsibilities and exert pressure on Israel, to lift the siege on Gaza and to allow necessary materials into the Strip before it is too late.
The Gaza Strip has been suffering from a tight blockade for the seventh year running. However, the siege has dramatically intensified two months ago after the dismissal of the Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and the destruction of almost all tunnels between Gaza and Egypt by the Egyptian army.
Wastewater treatment plant in Rafah
After the running out of fuel supplies, the Minister of local government in Gaza Mohammed Al -Farra announced on Monday evening that the wastewater treatment plant stopped functioning and the municipalities are going to pump the sewage water into the sea .
Al-Farra said on a statement that all Gaza municipalities will stop functioning next Thursday because of the lack of fuel.
Egypt's interim government ordered the military to cave in all the lifeline tunnels between Egypt and the besieged Gaza which cause severe shortage of fuel.
Pumping the untreated wastewater into the sea will pollute not only the marine environment of Gaza but also the Mediterranean Sea , Al-Farra warned of an environmental disaster.
He called on the International and Human Rights organizations to increase pressure on Israel in order to lift the siege on Gaza and allow the access of necessary basic needs of besieged people in Gaza.
Since the ouster of Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi in a military coup in July, the army has increased the destruction of the tunnels on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza on the pretext of "fighting against terrorism". The tunnels have served as a lifeline to the besieged people of Gaza and their destruction has caused shortages of fuel and other essential goods. Gaza is now completely dependent on the limited amount of fuel allowed to enter by Israel.
After the running out of fuel supplies, the Minister of local government in Gaza Mohammed Al -Farra announced on Monday evening that the wastewater treatment plant stopped functioning and the municipalities are going to pump the sewage water into the sea .
Al-Farra said on a statement that all Gaza municipalities will stop functioning next Thursday because of the lack of fuel.
Egypt's interim government ordered the military to cave in all the lifeline tunnels between Egypt and the besieged Gaza which cause severe shortage of fuel.
Pumping the untreated wastewater into the sea will pollute not only the marine environment of Gaza but also the Mediterranean Sea , Al-Farra warned of an environmental disaster.
He called on the International and Human Rights organizations to increase pressure on Israel in order to lift the siege on Gaza and allow the access of necessary basic needs of besieged people in Gaza.
Since the ouster of Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi in a military coup in July, the army has increased the destruction of the tunnels on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza on the pretext of "fighting against terrorism". The tunnels have served as a lifeline to the besieged people of Gaza and their destruction has caused shortages of fuel and other essential goods. Gaza is now completely dependent on the limited amount of fuel allowed to enter by Israel.
11 sept 2013
A Dutch firm recently decided to pull out of an Israeli settlement project in East al-Quds (Jerusalem), receiving praise from a senior United Nations expert.
UN Rapporteur Richard Falk welcomed Tuesday Royal HaskoningDHV’s decision to terminate a contract to build the Kidron wastewater treatment facility that would be used for illegal Israeli settlements, according to a Press TV report.
Falk said, “The sewage treatment facility would have served to further entrench Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem (al-Quds), now universally considered to be a violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.”
Referring to its decision to pull out of the project, the firm said in a statement, "After due consultation with various stakeholders, the company came to understand that future involvement in the project could be in violation of international law.”
Falk also sent a message to all companies conducting business related to Israeli settlements, urging them to "follow Royal HaskoningDHV’s lead and terminate their involvement out of respect for corporate responsibility and international law,” according to the report
UN Rapporteur Richard Falk welcomed Tuesday Royal HaskoningDHV’s decision to terminate a contract to build the Kidron wastewater treatment facility that would be used for illegal Israeli settlements, according to a Press TV report.
Falk said, “The sewage treatment facility would have served to further entrench Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem (al-Quds), now universally considered to be a violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.”
Referring to its decision to pull out of the project, the firm said in a statement, "After due consultation with various stakeholders, the company came to understand that future involvement in the project could be in violation of international law.”
Falk also sent a message to all companies conducting business related to Israeli settlements, urging them to "follow Royal HaskoningDHV’s lead and terminate their involvement out of respect for corporate responsibility and international law,” according to the report
