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Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank drive global increase in water-related violence
Israeli attacks on Palestinian water infrastructure in 2023 made up a quarter of global water-related violence, as conflicts over dwindling resources surged worldwide.
In short:
- Water-related violence globally increased by 50% in 2023, with nearly 350 documented conflicts.
- Israel's destruction of Palestinian water supplies was a significant contributor, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank.
- Latin America, the Caribbean and India also saw sharp rises in water conflicts due to drought and disputes over access.
Key quote:
“There was a massive uptick in violence over water in 2023, widely around the world, but especially in the Middle East.”
— Peter Gleick, co-founder of the Pacific Institute.
Why this matters:
As climate change exacerbates water scarcity, conflicts over access to water are becoming more frequent and severe, threatening the stability of already volatile regions. The ongoing violence endangers millions who rely on these critical resources for survival.
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Credit: slidezero/Big Stock Photo
Israel's Gaza war disrupts climate cooperation with Jordan
An ambitious climate deal between Israel and Jordan, known as Project Prosperity, has collapsed due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In short:
- Project Prosperity aimed to exchange Israel's water surplus for electricity from Jordan's solar farms, but the October 7 Hamas attack halted progress.
- Jordan, heavily affected by regional instability, canceled the deal and is accelerating its own desalination project to ensure water security.
- The collapse of the deal highlights the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on regional cooperation and climate initiatives.
Key quote:
“Why would we collaborate with someone killing us and controlling our resources? How can I collaborate with someone occupying me? Controlling me?”
— Anonymous Palestinian official
Why this matters:
The conflict disrupts not only political relations but also crucial climate cooperation in a region severely affected by water scarcity and climate change. Without such collaborations, effective climate adaptation in the Middle East becomes even more challenging.
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Credit: Mídia NINJA/Flickr
Biden needs his young climate activists. But they’re angry about the war in Gaza.
The tension is just one example of the growing divide between the president and his progressive base over his staunch support for Israel.
‘No climate justice without peace’: Gaza becomes flashpoint for climate activists
Many in the global movement are divided on whether or how to take a stand on the conflict.
In power-starved Gaza's scrapyards, batteries keep piling up
In a scrapyard near Gaza's fence with Israel, thousands of old batteries are piling up - one of several such sites in the enclave set up to mitigate the environmental repercussions of the blackouts that are a feature of daily life.
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