At least 80 Palestinian homes have been flooded after water levels in
the Gaza Valley (Wadi Gaza) rose to almost three meters, forcing
families to evacuate after Israeli authorities opened several dams. The Gaza Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Sunday that civil defence services had worked alongside teams from the Minsitry of Public Works to evacuate families to shelters in al-Bureij refugee camp and in al-Zahra neighbourhood sponsored by UNRWA, the UN Relief and Works Agency.
Brigadier Gerneral Said Al-Saudi, chief of the civil defence agency
in Gaza, told Al Jazeera: "Israel opened water dams, without warning,
last night, causing serious damage to Gazan villages near the border.
More than 40 homes were flooded and 80 families are currently in
shelters as a result."
He added that the dam opening would adversely affect local
agriculture as the flooded area included Gazan poultry and animal farms.
"We are appealing to human rights organisations and international
rights organisations to intervene to prevent further such action.'' A major storm in the region has previously brought freezing rain to
Gaza and snow across parts of the Occupied Territories and Israel.
"We are appealing to human rights organisations and international
rights organisations to intervene to prevent further such action.'' A major storm in the region has previously brought freezing rain to
Gaza and snow across parts of the Occupied Territories and Israel.
Muhammad Al-Midana, spokesman for Gaza civil defence told news
agencies that water flowing at high speed from the Israeli border poses a
risk of further flooding.
This could be exacerbated if further dams in the area are opened.
This could be exacerbated if further dams in the area are opened.
Gaza has been under siege since 2007.
Source: Al Jazeera
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