UAE Initiates Water Pipeline Project to Provide Supply for Gaza

The United Arab Emirates has begun constructing a new water pipeline to supply southern Gaza, a major humanitarian initiative designed to address the critical water shortage affecting nearly 600,000 Palestinians. The pipeline will transport potable water directly from an Egyptian desalination plant to the coastal area of Al-Mawasi, operating independently of existing Israeli water infrastructure.

Approved by Israel’s defense establishment and coordinated across borders, the project is overseen by the Israeli military’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). Israeli officials emphasized that the pipeline is a non-political, humanitarian measure. “This is a purely humanitarian measure, taken within the framework of cabinet decisions,” they stated. “The connection of the pipeline does not constitute a step towards the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.”

On Sunday, the first shipment of construction materials, delivered by Emirati representatives, crossed the Kerem Shalom border after rigorous security checks by Israel’s Border Authority and the Ministry of Defense. Construction is expected to commence within days and will take several weeks to complete.

The initiative comes during a temporary humanitarian truce announced by Israel over the weekend. Alongside the pipeline project, the Israel Electric Corporation reconnected a critical power line from the Ashkelon power station to Deir al-Balah, supplying electricity to the Egyptian desalination plant that will feed the new water system.

The UAE has stepped up its humanitarian efforts in Gaza, supplementing the pipeline project with airdropped aid parcels to support civilians facing dire shortages.

This collaboration underscores the potential for regional partnerships to address humanitarian needs even amid ongoing hostilities, with Israel facilitating critical infrastructure projects while maintaining its security posture.

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