RAMALLAH, October 29, 2025 (WAFA) – The Government Operations Room for Emergency Interventions in theGaza Strip reviewed on Wednesday the executive plan for relief and early recovery in Gaza’s water sector. These sectoral plans are preliminary and adaptive, continuously updated in cooperation with Arab and international partners and UN institutions.
The meeting was attended by the head of the Water Authority, Minister Ziyad Al-Mimi, alongside representatives from UNICEF, the World Bank, the European Union, the Netherlands Representative Office, and the Office of the Quartet.
Samah Hamad, Head of the Operations Room, affirmed the ongoing coordination with national and international stakeholders to ensure institutional complementarity and effective partnerships.
She stressed that an integrated response is essential to ensure a smooth transition from relief to recovery and full-scale reconstruction under the national plan for a Resilient and Livable Gaza, highlighting that access to water remains one of the most critical daily challenges facing citizens.
Al-Mimi noted that the Israeli aggression caused extensive destruction to Gaza’s water infrastructure, leading to a severe drop in available water supplies. He affirmed that the Water Authority continues its efforts to maintain water flow necessary for survival through the operation of wells and desalination plants and the provision of fuel and operational supplies, in close coordination with local and international partners.
He explained that the Water Authority’s plan for Gaza is based on an urgent intervention framework implemented in partnership with the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) and UN agencies. The plan prioritizes projects that enhance water security, rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, expand the use of renewable energy, develop wastewater treatment and reuse systems, and launch the National Water Company to strengthen efficiency and sustainability.
According to data from the Water Authority, over 85% of vital water facilities have been damaged by the Israeli aggression. Production from groundwater wells currently stands at only 25% of pre-war capacity due to extensive damage and restricted access.
Additionally, all five wastewater treatment plants are now completely out of service, while 20 sewage pumping stations were totally destroyed and 27 others partially damaged out of 79 stations across the Gaza Strip.
Hadeel Faydi, the Water Authority’s representative in the Operations Room, presented a detailed briefing on the status of the water and sanitation sector and the early recovery plan. She affirmed continued operation of desalination plants, fuel supply to wells, and emergency maintenance activities in coordination with local and international partners to sustain life-saving essential services.
The meeting concluded with an open discussion, during which international and national partners and experts shared comments and recommendations to ensure the effective and coordinated implementation of the emergency response and early recovery plan through a participatory and integrated approach.
M.N
