Weaponising Water in Gaza

This is an in-person event.

Monday, 13 January 2025 

13.00 - 14.30 CET

The United Nations recognises access to water and sanitation as a human right “fundamental to everyone’s health, dignity, and prosperity.” “UN, 2010.” Furthermore, under Article 7 of the Rome Statute, intentionally depriving the civilian population of conditions of life calculated to bring about their destruction is an act of extermination and classified as a crime against humanity”.

The intensification of military aggression in Gaza since October 2023 has led to the emergence of access to clean and safe water as a significant humanitarian concern, with profound implications for the affected population. The objective of this seminar is to facilitate a more profound comprehension of the critical issue of the weaponisation of water in Gaza, investigating how water has been systematically targeted and manipulated as a tool of warfare and oppression. This has not only exacerbated humanitarian crises but also served as a tactical advantage in military aggression, thereby undermining the rights of the Palestinian people. A historical analysis reveals that this practice is not a novel phenomenon; rather, it has been a long-standing strategy employed over the past eight decades. The seminar will provide insights into the implications of weaponising water, the socio-political ramifications for the people of Gaza, and the broader impact on regional stability.

The discussion will address this pressing issue, which has implications not only for the people of Gaza but also for the global discourse on water security and justice. The seminar will seek to understand the broader implications of weaponising water and advocate for the protection of vulnerable communities in Gaza, as well as urging a reevaluation of humanitarian concerns in conflict zones.

Keywords: 

Weaponisation of Water, Military Aggression in Gaza, Humanitarian Crisis, Water Rights, Historical Context, Socio-Political Ramifications, Regional Stability and Environmental Warfare

Speaker:

Amal Sarsour is an Associate Research Fellow at UNU-CRIS.

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