Israel is facing a significant water shortage crisis following an extensive algal bloom that has severely impaired much of its desalination capacity. Experts attribute the environmental event to the discharge of untreated sewage from Gaza into the Mediterranean Sea, a situation that has worsened after Israeli attacks damaged Gaza’s wastewater infrastructure.
The contamination stems from the destruction of Gaza’s wastewater treatment plants during ongoing hostilities, leading to a large volume of untreated sewage entering the sea. This pollution, rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, has fueled the growth of microalgae and cyanobacteria, causing a bloom that extended up to 60 miles along the southern Mediterranean coast. The algal bloom has clogged filters at five of Israel’s six main desalination plants, forcing shutdowns and reduced operations.
Environmental specialists, including Jack Gilron from Ben-Gurion University’s Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, emphasized the increasing risks to Israel’s water infrastructure posed by the ongoing pollution from Gaza. “The discharge of untreated sewage from Gaza into the sea increases risks to Israel’s water production infrastructure,” he noted.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli bombardment has damaged approximately 90% of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure, according to a report by Médecins Sans Frontières. The territory, already facing a dire water crisis, has seen its primary freshwater aquifer severely contaminated by seawater and wastewater. Before the conflict, roughly 80% of Gaza’s water supply originated from this aquifer.
Additionally, Gaza’s reliance on water supplied through desalination and pipelines controlled by Israel has been disrupted. The pipelines were cut at the start of the conflict and remain only partially operational. Damage to distribution networks has left many Gaza residents dependent on irregular water deliveries by trucks, creating difficult choices between hydration and hygiene. Waterborne illnesses such as diarrhoea are common, particularly among children.
Local voices describe the daily struggle: Nas al-Barawi, a mother from Beit Lahiya, reported unsafe water conditions and frequent illness in her family. Omar Shatat of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility confirmed that all five wastewater treatment plants in Gaza are currently non-functional, leading to an estimated daily discharge of 45,000 cubic meters of untreated sewage into the Mediterranean. Another 15,000 cubic meters of untreated waste seep into groundwater from soakaway pits, exacerbating the environmental and public health risks.
The accumulation of sewage and refuse has contributed to a surge in rodents within Gaza, particularly in displaced persons’ camps. Similarly, Israeli communities near Gaza’s border have experienced an unusual increase in rat infestations. Environmental groups warn that the public health impact could extend beyond Gaza. Nada Majdalani, Palestine director of EcoPeace Middle East, highlighted rising cases of hepatitis A in Gaza and voiced concerns about the potential for wider outbreaks.
Both the Zalul Environmental Association and EcoPeace have called on Cogat—the Israeli agency responsible for administering Gaza—to facilitate urgent repairs to Gaza’s sewage system and to allow for wastewater treatment in Israeli-controlled areas. Cogat did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
The situation underscores the broader environmental and humanitarian toll of the conflict, illustrating how the destruction of vital infrastructure in Gaza is now affecting water security in adjacent Israeli communities.