DaysofPal – The Gaza Municipality warned Tuesday of an impending environmental and humanitarian disaster in Sheikh Radwan Rainwater Basin, where rising water levels and sewage inflows threaten to flood surrounding neighborhoods.
In a statement, the municipality said water levels in the basin have reached critical heights, exacerbated by the return of displaced residents and forecasts of heavy rainfall. The continued flow of untreated sewage into the basin raises the risk of flooding, groundwater contamination, and disease outbreaks.
The crisis has been worsened by Israel’s blockade, which has prevented the entry of vital pipes needed to maintain the basin’s drainage system. Without these materials, excess water cannot be properly diverted, further straining an already fragile infrastructure.
Repeated Israeli airstrikes have also devastated Gaza’s sewage treatment facilities, damaged power generators, and crippled the basin’s pumping system. According to the municipality, four out of six water pumps have been severely damaged, leaving the city with limited capacity to manage the escalating crisis.
The municipality called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently by facilitating the entry of essential supplies, including drainage pipes and equipment, and providing financial and technical support to restore Gaza’s crumbling infrastructure. Officials also stressed the need for a sustainable electricity source to keep the pumps operational and prevent further deterioration.
Gaza’s municipal operations remain severely crippled by fuel shortages and a lack of repair materials, consequences of Israel’s 15-month-long assault on the territory. The municipality reported that 132 of its service vehicles—85% of its total fleet—have been destroyed since the war began, making emergency response efforts even more difficult.
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