Israel, under pressure from Western allies to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, is preparing to increase electricity supply to a desalination plant to produce more water for residents, according to an Israeli security official and a Western official who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday.
An Israeli offensive in Gaza has left millions with insufficient food, limited water, and deteriorating sanitation, according to Western aid agencies.
The U.S. and other allies are urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to scale back the military offensive and permit more aid and supplies to mitigate the humanitarian crisis.
According to details shared with Reuters, Israel plans to directly supply electricity to a major water desalination facility in Khan Yunis. The facility, established with United Nations funding in 2017, aims to provide drinking water to areas in Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and the Mawasi region, where many Gazans have fled due to the conflict.
The facility has the capacity to produce approximately 20,000 cubic meters of water per day but is currently providing only about 1,500 cubic meters due to a lack of electricity. Gaza relies heavily on Israel for its electricity, which has been cut off since the fighting began.
An anonymous Israeli source stated that the planned electricity supply to the water plant could provide water for nearly a million people. However, no timeline was provided for when the power supply would be operational, as the current power is supplied by generators and solar energy.
The source mentioned that the plan has been approved by both the Israeli prime minister and the defense minister but still requires approval from other government ministers. “There are parties attempting to cancel the process,” the source added without elaborating.
The Israeli prime minister’s office declined to comment.
A Western official familiar with the plan, also speaking anonymously, confirmed that preparations are underway to restore power to the plant. The official said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved reopening the power line during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this month.
“The Israelis are ready on their side,” the official said. “Currently, Palestinian engineers are inside the strip checking the integrity of the line.”
Restoring power to the desalination plant is a crucial step in addressing the water crisis in Gaza, but additional equipment is needed to repair the sanitation system, which is hindered by ongoing fighting, the official added.
