The Israeli army said Sunday that the United Arab Emirates will begin building a water pipeline from Egypt to the southern Gaza Strip in the coming days, a project first announced by Abu Dhabi in mid-July.
According to Haaretz, Israeli authorities approved the plans weeks ago. The occupation army said Emirati representatives had already started bringing in equipment to Egypt through Karm Abu Salem, a border crossing operated by Israel under strict security inspections.
The project is part of the UAE’s “Operation Gallant Knight 3,” which was launched in mid-July to address what officials called a “disaster caused by the war” in Gaza. The operation aims to supply desalinated drinking water from Egypt to southern Gaza through a new pipeline described as the largest of its kind.
Sharif Al-Nairab, media official for Operation Gallant Knight 3, told the UAE’s state news agency WAM that the UAE has long supported Gaza across sectors—from building desalination plants and wells to maintaining infrastructure and supplying tankers. “This vital project that seeks to secure drinking water for the areas most affected,” he said.
UNICEF has warned of “man-made drought” in Gaza, as most drinking water systems in the region do not work.
“Children will begin to die of thirst … Just 40% of drinking water production facilities remain functional,” UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told reporters in June. “We are way below emergency standards in terms of drinking water.”
Israel and the UAE normalized diplomatic relations in September 2020 under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, making the UAE the first Gulf country and third Arab nation after Egypt and Jordan to establish ties with Israel.
Separately, the Sinai Tribal Union said on X last Tuesday that the desalinated water pipeline from Egypt to Khan Younis has been completed with both Egyptian and Emirati support.
While the statement credited Egypt with facilitating land and logistical support, it said the UAE had constructed six desalination plants in Arish, North Sinai, with a daily output of 2 million gallons, benefiting over 1 million residents in Gaza.
The pipeline aims to provide 15 liters of potable water per day to nearly 600,000 residents, amid what aid groups say is the near-total collapse of Gaza’s water infrastructure due to Israel’s military campaign. Over 80% of water facilities in Gaza have been destroyed, according to local authorities.
