Israel is experiencing a significant water crisis stemming from environmental damage in Gaza. An exceptional algae bloom has compromised the majority of the country’s desalination capacity, forcing shutdowns and reduced operations at five of six main facilities along the Mediterranean coast. The bloom, which stretches approximately 60 miles, has clogged filtration systems and interrupted water supplies, particularly in southern regions.
Scientific evidence points to the destruction of Gaza’s wastewater treatment infrastructure as the root cause of the crisis. According to environmental organizations and water experts, the discharge of untreated sewage containing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus has fueled the microalgae bloom. Since 7 October 2023, Israeli military operations have destroyed roughly 90 percent of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure, including wells, pipelines, reservoirs, and treatment facilities. This damage has disabled all five of Gaza’s wastewater treatment plants, allowing an estimated 45,000 cubic meters of untreated sewage to flow into the Mediterranean daily, with additional waste seeping into groundwater.
The destruction has created severe consequences on both sides of the border. In Gaza, the water crisis has become acute, with the contaminated aquifer now unfit for consumption and pipeline supplies only partially restored. Residents face critical shortages and rely heavily on water trucks, forcing difficult choices between drinking water and sanitation. Health impacts include widespread acute diarrhea and gastrointestinal infections among children, compounded by rat infestations thriving in sewage-contaminated areas. Environmental and humanitarian organizations warn conditions will likely deteriorate with the approaching winter season.
Israeli authorities have implemented emergency measures, instructing residents to use water conservatively and directing farmers to cease irrigation operations. The restrictions are expected to affect food production and potentially raise prices. Environmental experts and organizations have called for restoration of Gaza’s sewage treatment systems and coordination on wastewater management, noting that environmental pollution transcends political boundaries and poses ongoing risks to both populations and regional ecosystems.
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