Occupation opens dams flooding Palestinian homes in Abasan

November 4, 2011 by occupiedpalestine 0 Comments

“Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and therefore a basic human right.” ~ Kofi Annan

[ 04/11/2011 – 10:38 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)– Israeli occupation authorities opened water dams at Sanati to the east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip causing the flooding of Palestinian homes in the town of Abasan al-Kabira.

The mayor of Abasan, Mustafa al-Shawwaf, told Safa news agency 8 homes in the town were flooded to a height of 70 to 90 cm, and that residents of those homes are being evacuated.

Many streets in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, were also flooded as a result of torrential rain that fell all night in the area.

Medical sources that nine homes were badly flooded in the Amal neighbourhood and that residents of those homes were rescued.

PIC correspondent said that a medical centre near the Red Crescent headquarters in the city was also flooded.

No casualties were reported until the preparation of this report, while the civil defence department said that its teams are helping in pumping the water out of the affected homes.

Source and more at the Palestinian Information Center

Deliberate opening of dams happens more often in Gaza, to harras the people. Without sewerage, no repair materials entering the strip due to the illegal siege, Gaza’s aquifier only gives about 10% drinkable water and 26% of all waterborne diseases are caused by this.

More about the Israeli policies of deprivation of the Humanright to Water