Most of Gaza’s wastewater now flows to the Mediterranean Sea, some as raw wastewater, and some following partial treatment. International organizations have found that the shoreline near which the wastewater flows is polluted and unfit for bathing. Proper wastewater treatment would have enabled use of the treated wastewater for agricultural purposes and reduced pumping of the underground water.
Effect of the economic situation on water consumption
Due to the poor water quality, many Gazans are forced to buy water treated in facilities operated by local entrepreneurs or to use home desalination devices. The quality of the water provided in this way is unsupervised, and the lack of replacement parts and regular power supply has harmed them, too.
Since treatment of water from pollutants such as nitrates and chlorides is very expensive, the cost of a cubic meter of treated water is a high as 50 shekels (some 13 US dollars in August 2010), 10 times higher than the price paid by households in Israel. Many Gazans cannot afford this luxury: the unemployment rate in Gaza reached 39 percent in 2009, and poverty in 2007 was 43 percent. In 2007, average family expenditures in Gaza stood at slightly more than 2,000 shekels a month.
Recommendations of the UN Environment Programme
To prevent the collapse of the Gazan water economy, the UN Environment Programme recommended, a year ago, that pumping of water from the Coast Aquifer in Gaza cease. The Programme also suggested that Israel and Egypt, countries which share the water of the aquifer, formulate a joint action plan – including alternative water-supply sources, among them desalination facilities – to deal with the water crisis in Gaza. The Programme also recommended that an epidemiological survey be made to study the effects of polluted-water consumption on the Gazan population, especially on the children.
To cope with the grave water crisis in Gaza, Israel must immediately allow the entry of materials and equipment needed to rehabilitate and develop the water and wastewater-treatment systems there. Also, all the sides – Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the Hamas government, and Egypt – must take action to stop the rapid deterioration in the condition of the underground water system of the Coast Aquifer, which serves residents of the Gaza Strip, and find additional sources of drinking water for the residents.
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Background on the water crisis in the territories
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In the absence of other materials due to the siege, parts of the old barrier wall at Rafah are used to line a wastewater treatment pond there. Photo: Courtesy of EWASH.
The water pollution also harms the area’s agricultural produce. According to Ghanem, the milk given by cows in Gaza is polluted, and farm crops that once characterized the area, such as oranges, have declined in quantity and quality.
Effects of the siege and Operation Cast Lead
Since the beginning of the siege, Israel has prohibited the entry of equipment and materials that can be used to improve water quality and taste, and to develop and rehabilitate the water infrastructure and the wastewater-treatment facilities in Gaza. The prohibition has remained in force even after the recent easing of restrictions, and despite the Cabinet’s decision to allow the entry of building materials for projects that have been approved by the Palestinian Authority and are supervised by international organizations. The equipment needed includes water pumps, pipes, generators, computers, building cement, and chloride. Israel classifies these materials as dual-use items that are liable to be used for military purposes, and therefore prohibits their entry.
The Gazan Coastal Municipalities Water Utility currently requires 1,250 tons of cement just to rebuild water reservoirs. The Sufa Crossing between Gaza and Israel, which is intended, among other things, for the transfer of building materials, has been closed since March 2009. The by-laws of the international organizations prohibit them from purchasing cement smuggled into Gaza through tunnels, for the rehabilitation projects.
The lack of construction materials and replacement parts has also led to greater loss of water from the supply network in Gaza. Prior to the siege, the loss had been 30 percent of the amount of water supplied to consumers, generally resulting from leaks in the pipes. In 2009, the loss reached 47 percent, according to figures of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility.
The Gaza Strip’s power station has been working at partial output since Israel bombed it in June 2006. There is also a shortage of industrial fuel needed to operate the station, following the disputes that arose between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas regarding its funding, which has led to frequent power outages. The outages prevent the wastewater-treatment facilities from completing the 14-day treatment cycle and also impair the frequency of water supply to houses. According to UN figures, water is supplied to houses in Gaza City for four to six hours once every five days, and in the rest of the Gaza Strip for four to six hours once every three days. Due to the low pressure, the water does not reach the top floors in tall buildings.
In Operation Cast Lead, Israel damaged Gaza City’s wastewater-treatment facility, leading to untreated wastewater flooding extensive farm areas. According to the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, 30 kilometers of water networks, 11 wells, and 6,000 home water tanks were damaged during the operation, and the overall damage to the water and wastewater-treatment facilities amounted to six million dollars.
The daily per capita water consumption in the Gaza Strip is 91 liters, slightly higher than in the West Bank, where the figure is 73 liters, yet lower than the minimum of 100 liters recommended by the World Heath Organization. By comparison, daily per capita consumption in Israel is 242 liters in urban areas and 211 liters in rural areas.
Resident of ‘Izbet ‘Abd Rabo in Jabalya refugee camp carrying home water from a container provided by OXFAM. Photo: Muhammad Sabah, B’Tselem, 18 Aug. ’10
Magnitude of the pollution
The director of quality control in the Gazan Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, Eng. Majed Ghanem, told B'Tselem that an examination conducted in late 2009 in 180 wells revealed that, in 93 percent of them, the chloride level (which indicates the water’s salinity) was 1,000 to 2,000 mg/liter, four to eight times higher than the 250 mg/liter amount recommended by the WHO. Water with a chloride level this high is unfit for drinking. According to Ghanem, the pollution also affects the water’s color and causes its repellent odor.
In addition, an examination carried out by the UN Environment Programme on a number of wells in Gaza found that the concentration of nitrates was six times higher than the 50 mg level recommended by the WHO. This high level of nitrates is liable to cause anemia among children and methemoglobinemia (“blue infants” syndrome) among infants, which is liable to lead to choking and death. A study published in 2007, in which a sample of 340 infants from Gaza were examined, found that almost half of them suffered from troubling symptoms of the syndrome.
The Palestinian Water Authority estimates that almost 40 percent of the incidence of disease in Gaza is related to polluted drinking water. According to international aid organizations, 20 percent of Gazan families have at least one child under age five who suffers from diarrhea as a result of polluted water. A UN study published in 2009 estimates that diarrhea is the cause of 12 percent of children’s deaths in Gaza. The lack of potable drinking water is liable to cause malnutrition in children and affect their physical and cognitive development.
The water crisis in the Gaza Strip arose following over-pumping of the underground water of the Coast Aquifer. It is estimated that the amount of water annually pumped from the aquifer is roughly twice the amount of water that replenishes it. As a result of the over-pumping, which has been going on for several decades, salt water has penetrated the aquifer. In addition, the poor maintenance of the wastewater-treatment facilities in Gaza, which increased following the siege, and the damage done to the wastewater-treatment facility in Gaza City during Operation Cast Lead, led to further pollution of the underground water by wastewater, and to greater salinity. Another factor for the pollution is the waste-disposal sites in Gaza, which are not properly handled. Following Operation Cast Lead, these sites received enormous amounts of waste – more than 600,000 tons – including asbestos, medial waste, oils, and fuels.
The water crisis in the Gaza Strip arose following over-pumping of the underground water of the Coast Aquifer. It is estimated that the amount of water annually pumped from the aquifer is roughly twice the amount of water that replenishes it. As a result of the over-pumping, which has been going on for several decades, salt water has penetrated the aquifer. In addition, the poor maintenance of the wastewater-treatment facilities in Gaza, which increased following the siege, and the damage done to the wastewater-treatment facility in Gaza City during Operation Cast Lead, led to further pollution of the underground water by wastewater, and to greater salinity. Another factor for the pollution is the waste-disposal sites in Gaza, which are not properly handled. Following Operation Cast Lead, these sites received enormous amounts of waste – more than 600,000 tons – including asbestos, medial waste, oils, and fuels.
23 August 2010: Water supplied in Gaza unfit for drinking; Israel prevents entry of materials needed to repair system
Almost 95 percent of the water pumped in the Gaza Strip is polluted and unfit for drinking. This warning was recently issued by the UN Environment Programme, the Palestinian Water Authority, the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, and international aid organizations. They estimate it will take at least 20 years to rehabilitate Gaza’s underground water system, and any delay in dealing with the problem will lead to additional deterioration in the situation and thus might extend the rehabilitation process for hundreds of years. Since it began its siege on the Gaza Strip, in June 2007, Israel has forbidden the entry of equipment and materials needed to rehabilitate the water and wastewater-treatment systems there. The prohibition has remained despite the recent easing of the siege.
Sorry, there is a typo,it should have been : Your treatise on Martin Luther made interesting reading. Something I have not been aware of. Maybe worth studying further. Anyway, when any religion idolizes ideology and humaneness is dumped, hatred replaces love and religion becomes opium. This is true for non- religious or anti- religious ideologies like Marxism,too.(And Zionism,)
A senior Palestinian official said the Palestinians had received assurances from the U.S. that it will remain heavily involved and push for a solution based on the 1967 borders. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing sensitive diplomatic contacts with Washington.
Abbas, already weakened by the Hamas militant group's takeover of Gaza three years ago, fears a failed peace process could further damage his standing in his West Bank headquarters. The rival Hamas, which immediately condemned the new peace talks, is a major impediment to any future peace deal.
"These negotiations will not succeed and have no chance of succeeding," warned Hani Masri, a prominent Palestinian political analyst. "What they will do is weaken the Palestinian leadership and its popularity and deepen the inner Palestinian conflict."
___
Jerusalem News Editor Josef Federman has covered the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 2003
This has made the Palestinians extremely leery about speaking to the Israeli leader.
Another problem is the roughly 4 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are deeply divided. They have different governments. And Netanyahu's partner for talks, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, is weak and only represents about half the Palestinians in the territories.
Nevertheless, there is some reason for hope that President Barack Obama's initiative will fare better than the doomed attempts of past American leaders.
In dealing with the Israeli public, Netanyahu's credibility as a security hawk and secure political standing could enable him to follow in the footsteps of former Prime Ministers Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon, two other right-wing icons who ultimately made sweeping gestures for peace.
Begin reached the 1979 historic peace accord with Egypt, requiring a full withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, while Sharon withdrew all Israeli troops and settlements from the Gaza Strip five years ago.
Netanyahu's actions have not always matched his tough-talking rhetoric. In his previous term as prime minister in the 1990s, he withdrew Israeli forces from Hebron and handed over additional control of the West Bank to Palestinians.
Equally significant, his coalition government, a grouping dominated by a mix of nationalistic and hard-line religious parties, has remained solidly intact despite unhappiness with some of Netanyahu's moves.
Without any serious opposition, Netanyahu has great freedom in conducting negotiations. And if any hard-line coalition partners were to break away, Netanyahu could turn to the moderate opposition to remain in power.
For now, it remains unclear whether Netanyahu is ready to make bold steps toward peace.
One reason for skepticism is his endorsement of Palestinian independence last year included so many caveats that the Palestinians said it was insincere. Likewise, the limited settlement freeze included several loopholes that allowed construction of thousands of apartments to proceed.
A former army commando and the son of a renowned hawkish Zionist historian who still wields heavy influence over him, Netanyahu has led the fight against previous peace initiatives over the past two decades. His opposition has been rooted in both security grounds and an ideology stressing the Jewish people's connection to the Holy Land.
Since winning election last year, Netanyahu has given few signs that he is willing to make the tough concessions demanded by the Palestinians and the international community: a withdrawal from occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians, shared sovereignty of the holy city of Jerusalem and a solution for the millions of Palestinians who became refugees as a result of Israel's creation in 1948. The Palestinians view him with deep suspicion.
To lure Netanyahu to the negotiating table, the White House had to agree to his demands that there be no preconditions and that he not be bound to pledges made by more dovish Israeli leaders in the past. In accepting the White House's invitation, Netanyahu said protecting Israel's security interests would be his foremost concern.
The Palestinians joined the talks only after the international Quartet of Mideast mediators issued an accompanying statement Friday calling for an agreement "that ends the occupation which began in 1967."
yep,Hamas,PA to a certain extent,Iran,Syria,Hezbollah,and sundry other Jihad-Groups,like al-Queda and others!
JERUSALEM – Hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the security credentials and the political strength to pull off a peace deal with Palestinians now that the U.S. has brokered a new start to direct talks.
The big question is: Does he have the will?
Netanyahu heads to Washington on Sept. 1 for the launch of the first direct negotiations in nearly two years with the Palestinians. The White House hopes to forge a deal that has eluded its predecessors within a year — a formidable challenge.
Though Netanyahu has built his political career in part as an outspoken critic of peace moves by past Israeli leaders, he has shown surprising pragmatism in dealing with the moderate Palestinian leadership of the West Bank.
Netanyahu has made a series of concessions under heavy U.S. pressure — an indication that he is both pragmatic and susceptible to arm-twisting from Israel's closest and most important ally.
Shortly after his re-election a year ago, the prime minister removed dozens of military checkpoints in the West Bank. The lifting of the travel restrictions, which Israel said were a security measure during a previous decade of violence, helped breathe life into what has become a miniature economic boom in the Palestinian territory.
Last year, Netanyahu endorsed the concept of a Palestinian state, and later imposed a 10-month slowdown on construction of new homes in West Bank Jewish settlements. Earlier this year, he informally imposed a similar, albeit undeclared, freeze on new Jewish housing developments in east Jerusalem. Such moves would have been unthinkable for him a few years ago.
Still there are enormous obstacles to overcome before any deal can be reached.
Netanyahu says he will not give up east Jerusalem and has not talked about the possibility of a broad withdrawal from the West Bank, where more than 200,000 Jewish settlers live among about 2.4 million Palestinians and Israel maintains military control. Palestinians claim all the West Bank and east Jerusalem as well as Gaza — areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war — for their future state. The international community backs the Palestinian demand.
Kind of like the pot calling the kettle black there aren't ya Connie? You and the rest of your Netanyahu thugs love conflict, its the only easy way to attack your neighbors, right? How can Israel expand and colonize? With out conflict? It must be eating away at you from the inside. Is that why you go to the hospital so much?
Washington, DC - While welcoming the announcement of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Americans for Peace Now calls on the parties to negotiate in earnest. APN also urges President Obama to be prepared to press both parties to engage in the talks to see them succeed.
APN President and CEO Debra DeLee commented:
APN on Direct Talks: Kudos; Now Negotiate in Earnest
Washington, DC - While welcoming the announcement of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Americans for Peace Now calls on the parties to negotiate in earnest. APN also urges President Obama to be prepared to press both parties to engage in the talks to see them succeed.
APN President and CEO Debra DeLee commented:
"Direct talks can be an opportunity for progress toward peace. It is unfortunate that so little was achieved in indirect talks, and that the past 20 months have been squandered negotiating about how to negotiate, rather than getting down to business. We hope that today's announcement means that this foot-dragging is over.
"Now the real hard work must begin. Direct talks are not an end in themselves; their only value is as a means to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. Direct talks must urgently address all the core issues of the conflict: settlements, Jerusalem, security, borders, refugees. An agreement that resolves these outstanding issues will, at long last, make it possible for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace, each people secure in its own state.
"The path forward is not easy. Direct talks will be fruitless unless Israelis and Palestinians are ready to sit down and negotiate in good faith to resolve final status issues. There is no more room for game-playing or procrastinating to avoid hard discussions and even harder decisions. This is the time for Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to rise to the challenge and build a better future for their peoples. Israelis and Palestinians yearn to live in peace, security and dignity.
"The Obama Administration must now live up to its pledge to hold both parties accountable for their behavior. Neither side can be allowed to get away with actions that undercut the talks. And the Obama Administration must press hard for progress. It must also be ready to engage with its own ideas as necessary, whether in the form of parameters or bridging proposals, or a full-fledged peace plan.
"There are spoilers who will look for ways to derail this process. They cannot be allowed to succeed.
"The stakes are high. Failure could bring about a new round of bloodshed and jeopardize American interests."
APN is America's leading Jewish organization advocating peace for Israel.
--There ya go Connie, Hide your head in the sand and act as if the world dosn't exist.
"Lets go to the ocean and pluck terds out of the surf"
Press Release For Immediate Release August 20 , 2010
Washington, DC - While welcoming the announcement of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Americans for Peace Now calls on the parties to negotiate in earnest. APN also urges President Obama to be prepared to press both parties to engage in the talks to see them succeed.
APN President and CEO Debra DeLee commented:
APN on Direct Talks: Kudos; Now Negotiate in Earnest
Washington, DC - While welcoming the announcement of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Americans for Peace Now calls on the parties to negotiate in earnest. APN also urges President Obama to be prepared to press both parties to engage in the talks to see them succeed.
APN President and CEO Debra DeLee commented:
"Direct talks can be an opportunity for progress toward peace. It is unfortunate that so little was achieved in indirect talks, and that the past 20 months have been squandered negotiating about how to negotiate, rather than getting down to business. We hope that today's announcement means that this foot-dragging is over.
"Now the real hard work must begin. Direct talks are not an end in themselves; their only value is as a means to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. Direct talks must urgently address all the core issues of the conflict: settlements, Jerusalem, security, borders, refugees. An agreement that resolves these outstanding issues will, at long last, make it possible for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace, each people secure in its own state.
"The path forward is not easy. Direct talks will be fruitless unless Israelis and Palestinians are ready to sit down and negotiate in good faith to resolve final status issues. There is no more room for game-playing or procrastinating to avoid hard discussions and even harder decisions. This is the time for Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to rise to the challenge and build a better future for their peoples. Israelis and Palestinians yearn to live in peace, security and dignity.
"The Obama Administration must now live up to its pledge to hold both parties accountable for their behavior. Neither side can be allowed to get away with actions that undercut the talks. And the Obama Administration must press hard for progress. It must also be ready to engage with its own ideas as necessary, whether in the form of parameters or bridging proposals, or a full-fledged peace plan.
"There are spoilers who will look for ways to derail this process. They cannot be allowed to succeed.
"The stakes are high. Failure could bring about a new round of bloodshed and jeopardize American interests."
APN is America's leading Jewish organization advocating peace for Israel.
Press Release For Immediate Release August 20 , 2010
Washington, DC - While welcoming the announcement of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Americans for Peace Now calls on the parties to negotiate in earnest. APN also urges President Obama to be prepared to press both parties to engage in the talks to see them succeed.
APN President and CEO Debra DeLee commented:
APN on Direct Talks: Kudos; Now Negotiate in Earnest
Washington, DC - While welcoming the announcement of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Americans for Peace Now calls on the parties to negotiate in earnest. APN also urges President Obama to be prepared to press both parties to engage in the talks to see them succeed.
APN President and CEO Debra DeLee commented:
"Direct talks can be an opportunity for progress toward peace. It is unfortunate that so little was achieved in indirect talks, and that the past 20 months have been squandered negotiating about how to negotiate, rather than getting down to business. We hope that today's announcement means that this foot-dragging is over.
"Now the real hard work must begin. Direct talks are not an end in themselves; their only value is as a means to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. Direct talks must urgently address all the core issues of the conflict: settlements, Jerusalem, security, borders, refugees. An agreement that resolves these outstanding issues will, at long last, make it possible for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace, each people secure in its own state.
"The path forward is not easy. Direct talks will be fruitless unless Israelis and Palestinians are ready to sit down and negotiate in good faith to resolve final status issues. There is no more room for game-playing or procrastinating to avoid hard discussions and even harder decisions. This is the time for Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to rise to the challenge and build a better future for their peoples. Israelis and Palestinians yearn to live in peace, security and dignity.
"The Obama Administration must now live up to its pledge to hold both parties accountable for their behavior. Neither side can be allowed to get away with actions that undercut the talks. And the Obama Administration must press hard for progress. It must also be ready to engage with its own ideas as necessary, whether in the form of parameters or bridging proposals, or a full-fledged peace plan.
"There are spoilers who will look for ways to derail this process. They cannot be allowed to succeed.
"The stakes are high. Failure could bring about a new round of bloodshed and jeopardize American interests."
APN is America's leading Jewish organization advocating peace for Israel.
If that isn't a war crime what is? Slaughter HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Ok, my follicly challenged adversary, lets throw this back one tiny little step.
Israel is already twisting the "rules of engagement" by twisting the "interpretation" of 'state of war" by their treatment of the Pallestinians. They have defeated them militarily, years ago. THE WORLD KNOWS THIS.
Yet the insidious mindset of the Netanyahu cancer interprets this as a "war".So as to keep the stanglehold on the populace of the West Bank and Gaza.
They're not fooling anyone, butt-head.
Cue-ball, this is not a war just because the Palestinian RESISTANCE still states their claim to their homeland and their farms.
If you had your lifes work stolen from you befor your eyes, and,if you had any balls, you too would fight back. Although, judgeing from your stance here I wonder about that too.
Of course it's a waste of time, everyone knows that! Netanyahu isn't going to budge in any area. He has time on his side.. And BTW another aid ship is coming.
SilverBirch Forum Posts (3,158)
tomin: Thanks !
RE: "Gaza is like a prison camp"
Camel jockey