Israel rejects $3 million plan to repair critical Gaza water basin
UNICEF warns the refusal to import equipment risks sewage overflow and disease as winter rains approach.
By Chinedu Schneider ·
Israel has rejected a proposal to import essential equipment for repairing a stormwater basin in Gaza City, according to the United Nations Children's Fund. The decision was made by COGAT, the Israeli military agency responsible for humanitarian affairs in the region. UNICEF stated that the refusal occurred within the last few days.
James Elder, a UNICEF representative, identified the Sheikh Radwan stormwater basin as the primary concern during a briefing in Geneva on November 10, 2026. The facility is currently contaminated with sewage. Elder explained that the basin serves one of the most densely populated areas of the enclave. He warned that heavy rainfall could cause the structure to overflow.
The proposed rehabilitation project carried an estimated cost of three million dollars. UNICEF officials said they spent the past year developing the plan in collaboration with Israeli authorities and the Board of Peace. The Board of Peace is led by US President Donald Trump. Elder expressed confusion over the recent rejection of the project.
COGAT cited security grounds for the refusal. This reasoning appears to reference Israeli regulations governing the entry of items with dual civilian and military use. Such items could potentially be utilized by Hamas. COGAT did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the specific security concerns.
Local authorities report that a substantial portion of Gaza's water infrastructure and pumping vehicles were destroyed during the recent war against Hamas. The conflict displaced the majority of the territory's more than two million residents. Most of the population currently lives in tent camps while awaiting a permanent solution.
Heavy rain this week already flooded tens of thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians across the strip. The recent weather events underscore the vulnerability of the population as the winter season begins. A sand embankment recently collapsed on several tents, killing four people, including three small children.
Elder stated that toxic sewage could soon flow into the streets and tents of Gaza City. He warned that this would force families out of their makeshift homes and increase the threat of disease. He expressed hope that the rehabilitation could be completed before the facility caused further preventable deaths among children.
Christian Lindmeier, the spokesperson for the World Health Organization, also spoke at the Geneva briefing. He noted that nearly one million displaced people across the strip face a medium or high risk of flood-related issues. The risk is driven by the combination of flooding, poor sanitation, and insufficient health and water services.
