The Israeli authorities have taken a significant step in addressing the international request to prevent the spread of diseases by connecting a desalination plant in the Gaza Strip to their electricity grid. This move comes after nearly nine months of offensive and siege against the enclave, which has left it facing a humanitarian crisis.
The goal is to make the desalination plant operational to provide drinking water to the Gaza area, promoting hygiene and disease prevention, which is crucial for the safety of soldiers and hostages. Residents of Gaza have reported that work has started to restart the desalination plant in the Saladin Road area, with Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to rethink this strategy.
However, Smotrich also criticized this decision, stating that they are rehabilitating Gaza before disarmament, especially focusing on hospitals, which he referred to as centers of terrorism. He urged Netanyahu to reconsider this strategy and emphasize disarmament first.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to accusations of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity against Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other Israeli officials. Over 37,900 deaths have been reported in Gaza, and more than 550 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem due to Israeli forces’ operations or attacks by settlers.
Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to bring clean water back into communities affected by violence and displacement. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on resolving ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
