Today (Last Update) Time 12:36
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hundreds of Palestinians were evacuated from their homes
Sunday morning after Israeli authorities opened a number of dams near the
border, flooding the Gaza Valley in the wake of a recent severe winter storm.
The Gaza Ministry of Interior said in a statement that civil defense services
and teams from the Ministry of Public Works had evacuated more than 80
families from both sides of the Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza) after their homes
flooded as water levels reached more than three meters.
Gaza has experienced flooding in recent days amid a major storm that saw
temperatures drop and frigid rain pour down.
The storm displaced dozens and caused hardship for tens of thousands,
including many of the approximately 110,000 Palestinians left homeless by
Israel's assault over summer.
The suffering is compounded by the fact that Israel has maintained a complete
siege over Gaza for the last eight years, severely limiting electricity and
the availability of fuel for generators. It has also prevented the displaced
from rebuilding their homes, as construction materials are largely banned
from entering.
Gaza civil defense services spokesman Muhammad al-Midana warned that further
harm could be caused if Israel opens up more dams in the area, noting that
water is currently flowing at a high speed from the Israel border through the
valley and into the Mediterranean sea.
Evacuated families have been sent to shelters sponsored by UNRWA, the UN
agency for Palestinian refugees, in al-Bureij refugee camp and in al-Zahra
neighborhood in the central Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza) is a wetland located in the central Gaza Strip
between al-Nuseirat refugee camp and al-Moghraqa. It is called HaBesor in
Hebrew, and it flows from two streams -- one whose source runs from near
Beersheba, and the other from near Hebron.
Israeli dams on the river to collect rainwater have dried up the wetlands
inside Gaza, and destroyed the only source of surface water in the area.
Locals have continued to use it to dispose of their waste for lack of other
ways to do so, however, creating an environmental hazard.
This is not the first time Israeli authorities have opened the Gaza Valley
dams.
In Dec. 2013, Israeli authorities also opened the dams amid heavy flooding in
the Gaza Strip. The resulting floods damaged dozens of homes and forces many
families in the area from their homes.
In 2010, the dams were opened as well, forcing 100 families from their homes.
At the time civil defense services said that they had managed to save seven
people who had been at risk of drowning.
Source: http://www.maannews.net/eng/
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