Work has commenced on a new water pipeline that will transport desalinated water from Egypt to the Al-Mawasi area in southern Gaza, home to approximately 600,000 Palestinians.
The project, initiated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aims to address the severe water shortage in the war-affected enclave. Approved by Israel’s defense and security authorities, the pipeline will operate independently of Israel’s existing water infrastructure and is framed as a purely humanitarian initiative.
According to Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), equipment and materials for the project began moving from Egypt into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, following thorough security inspections. The construction phase is expected to begin in the coming days and will continue for several weeks.
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Access to clean water
Israeli officials have emphasized that the project is being implemented within the boundaries of humanitarian support approved by the Israeli cabinet. “This is a humanitarian measure,” an Israeli statement noted.
The pipeline will deliver clean water from an Egyptian desalination plant, helping to ease the water crisis that has worsened due to ongoing conflict and infrastructure collapse. In parallel, Israeli authorities also reconnected a power line from Ashkelon to Deir al-Balah to support the desalination process.
The UAE has significantly increased its humanitarian role in Gaza, not only by sponsoring the pipeline but also by delivering airdropped aid packages to civilians. This move reflects the UAE’s growing engagement in addressing critical needs in Gaza, as part of broader international efforts to stabilize living conditions for Palestinian residents under severe humanitarian distress.
