Fact Sheets > water

Water Use and Distribution in the West Bank and Gaza Strip Distribution

• 75% of the Occupied West Bank & Gaza Strip renewable water resources are used by Israel.

• Three million Palestinians are allowed to use 250 million cubic meters per annum (83 cubic meters for each Palestinian per year) while six million Israelis enjoy the use of 2.0 billion cubic meters (333 cubic meter for each Israeli per year), which means that one Israeli consumes as much water as do four Palestinians. Each Israeli settler is allocated 1,450 cubic meters of water per year.

• The World Health Organization's recognized minimum of domestic water consumption is 100 liters per capita per day. The current domestic water supply for Palestinians is only 57-76 liters per capita per day.

The Main Impacts of the Israeli Siege on Water Supply Sectors in the Palestinian Occupied Territories as of November 4, 2000

• Many towns and villages are suffering from a severe water shortage as a result of closing the Palestinian territories.

• Many villages in the Jenin Governate are suffering from serious water shortage due to the Israeli siege. The Municipality is not able to import needed spare parts for the well pump. Water Tankers cannot reach the villages due to the closure.

• Continuous Israeli settlers' attacks on Palestinian water tankers prevent Palestinian Water Tankers from reaching their water supply source-taps--- which have been cut off by local Isreali settlers who solely own and control the flow of water in the region . Some of the Palestinian villages such as Dier Ibzi and Qabalan are particularily suffering from the cut off of the water supply by the settlers who are protected by the Israeli soldiers. Also, Israeli settlers from Humesh settlement cut off water pipes, which served seven surrounding villages. Many watertankers are obliged to return empty due to the high demand on exhausted source-taps in areas under Palestinian control.

• As a result of the cut-offs, the price of tanked water increased from 2.5 $ per cubic meter to 7.5 $ per cubic meter. As a result of the drastic rise in the price of water, the amount of income spent per family on water has increased by 12%, making it more difficult for families to meet their basic domestic and vital needs.

• There have been well pumps shut off because of fuel scarcity.

• Israeli soldiers have targeted water roof tanks of Palestinian houses near Israeli checkpoints.

• Israeli helicopters bombarded the water well in Mawasi area in Gaza.

Under the conditions incurred by the siege, civilians in the occupied territories are suffering from lack of access to necessary resources, necessary for even the maintenance of their daily needs and basic health. We have reached a state of emergency in the water sector in the Occupied Territories. We must call for an immediate end to the siege upon the water sector.

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