Head of the Palestinian Water Authority, Mazen Ghoneim, said today that there are many challenges facing the water sector in Palestine, mainly the Israeli occupation, which steals the Palestinian natural resources in different ways.

Ghoneim made the remarks during a lecture he gave in Jericho to a number of senior officers from the Military Training Authority of the Security Forces.

The lecture focused on the reality of the water sector and the challenges it faces, which have contributed to the exacerbation of Palestinian suffering in this humanitarian and service sector.

Ghoneim highlighted the challenges facing the water sector, including the Israeli occupation’s control of water resources, and the accompanying continuous encroachments and thefts of all the capabilities of life in Palestine through the construction of the separation wall, the establishment of settlements, in addition to Israel’s obstruction of all projects in C areas, which constitute more than 64 percent of the Palestinian territories.

Additionally, Ghoneim stressed that the Gaza Strip is witnessing a water disaster caused by the pollution of the coastal basin and the lack of potable water as a result of the Israeli blockade as well as Israel’s repeated aggression that targeted the infrastructure and impeded the construction and development process in the Strip.

He pointed out different sets of challenges facing the water sector, including the economic crisis in Palestine and its repercussions, in addition to the institutional, social and environmental challenges.

Ghoneim also touched on Israel’s policy aimed at emptying the region by trying to annex the Jordan Valley and seizing Palestinian natural springs.

He stressed the importance of water security in building a sovereign state, explaining that water security is the most important pillar of national security.

Despite these challenges, Ghoneim affirmed, that the Water Authority worked on integrated management and sustainable development of water resources and improving services.

Source: Palestine News & Info Agency