Palestinian Water Authority, Gaza, October 5th 2015

The Palestinian Water Authority calls for international action to prevent Egypt's imminent flooding of Gaza's tunnels with seawater, which it has already started. The flooding will render undrinkable the aquifers on which Gaza's people depend for their fresh water to drink and irrigate their crops.Egypt's flooding is environmental terrorism, efined as
"Deliberately causing environmental damage for political ends." The flooding will also cause the collapse of the soil resulting in destruction of houses, roads and infrastructure.

Mazen Al Banna (bannamazennew@hotmail.com), Deputy Head of the Palestinian Water Authority speaks good English and is available to do radio and TV interviews. Another person with good English who may speak on the issue is Nazir Al Wahidi (nizar_alwahidi@yahoo.com), a hydrological engineer at the Ministry of Agriculture

Presentation on Egypt's plans to destroy Gaza's freshwater aquifer

The Palestinian Water Authority concludes that

"In case of constructing the seawater moat along the border line with Egypt, this will result in the following (according to the mathematical model) :

1- The deterioration of the groundwater of the local area of the seawater moat in terms of quality.
2- The diffusion  chloride element rate equals to 400 m / year, which will lead to the deterioration of areas which are of the highest quality (The area surrounding the seawater moat on the Egyptian and Palestinian sides).
3- Tens to hundreds of groundwater wells (agricultural and municipal) existing in the Egyptian and Palestinian sides will be affected by the diffusion of seawater through the soil layers and groundwater.
4-  The deterioration of economic and social life of Palestinians and Egyptians living on both sides of the Egyptian-Palestinian border due to the deterioration of groundwater’s quality. 

Also :

• The destruction of the border tunnel system is a major threat to people's lives and welfare as this project could result in groundwater’s diffusion to Rafah(Palestinian and Egyptian) at high levels, which could contribute to the formation of Wet Bonds.
• The destruction of the border tunnel system, being constructed by the Egyptian Military, is considered a threat not only to the Palestinian and Egyptian security, but also to the Arab and Islamic security as it will result in the population’s evacuation.
• The destruction of the border tunnel system, being constructed by the Egyptian Military, is considered a threat to the water, food, and economic security of the Palestinian people of Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Water Authority recommends :

• It’s necessary that all  government and non-government official bodies, and international, local, Arab, and Islamic organizations, as well as Human rights and environmental protection organizations must communicate and strain the Egyptian government and Military to stop the construction, or even cancel this devastating project, which is destructive to both the Palestinian and Egyptian environment and lives.