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Wadi Gaza Page Edits

Geography

The geographical region referred to as HaBesor stretches from the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip to kibbutz Urim in the south. It is a plain at an elevation of about 70–80 m above sea level.

Tributaries from south to north: HaRo'e Stream, Boker Stream, Mesora Stream, Zalzal Stream, Revivim Stream, Atadim Stream, Beersheba Stream, Grar Stream, Assaf Stream, Amar Stream, Sahaf Stream and Wadi Abu Katrun.

The Wadi Gaza is also fed by rain water which drains from the nearby Hebron Mountains and drains into the Mediterranean Sea after traveling 105 kilometers (65 miles). It begins at around 30 meters above sea level, its highest elevations, and eventually dips below sea level before draining into the Mediterranean Sea. Where the Wadi Gaza drains into the sea is also one of the closest distances between the Africa and Eurasia which makes it a haven for migrating birds.

As it cuts through the Gaza Strip the Wadi Gaza loops back and forth which is a crucial aspect of its geography to the residents who live on terraces formed around its banks. These terraces are subject to naturally occurring erosion as well as being threatened by the construction occurring around them.

Environmental Issues

The Wadi Gaza is somewhat unique in that it represents two important resources, the first being water and the second being the biodiversity that the river provides. Many of the issues that effect one of these things often effects the other as well, however the groups interested in addressing the problems are usually separated by which of the resources they seek to protect.

There are a number of current projects focused on protecting and conserving the resources and biodiversity provided by the Wadi Gaza such as “Conservation of Wetlands and Coastal Ecosystem in the Mediterranean Region” a program sponsored by MENA, UNDP and, GEF|. This project aims to strengthen the physical structure of the Wadi Gaza in order to find a lasting solution to the problems threatening the watershed. The Wadi Gaza also represents one of the only wetlands in the area, offering shelter to many species namely a large number of migrating birds. As such in the year 2000 it was declared a nature reserve granting MEnA the authority to request building and land use projects be modified to protect the river.

Another issue which plagues the Wadi Gaza is pollution and sewage disposal with nearly 59,000 sq meters of waste water being dumped into the river each day made more threatening for Palestinian residents due to Israel's control of the Wadi Sofa Dam which they opened in 2010 without warning leading to the destruction of property and the deaths of 7 Palestinian citizens. The river has been a site for dumping of solid waste, and continues to be used in this way today. The waste comes from the urban areas of the Gaza Strip as well as from refugee camps that also dump their waste into the river. The organization mainly responsible for water sanitation WaSH MP works to improve the sanitation for the water supply. There is currently no water treatment plant within the Gaza strip territory, this means that sewage waste is dumped directly into the river without being treated in any way. Not only does the sewage effect the heath of the ecosystem of the river, it is beginning to have an adverse effect on those who live near it, the spread of insects and rodents which carry diseases harmful to humans can be traced to the ongoing pollution of the Wadi Gaza. Despite these challenges there is progress being made, and a hope for the Wadi Gaza in the future. Recently the Danish government has pledge to fund a water treatment plant to act as an interim solution while more lasting means of protecting the river can be established. Starting in 2001 around 15,000 tons of waste have been removed from the Wadi Gaza as a result of the efforts of many different groups. These projects have also offered employment for a number of Palestinians who would not have otherwise had work. While many of the projects to restore the Wadi Gaza are internationally funded, they all work closely with Palestinian NGOs such as EQP which in comprised of local community members rather than international employees.

In addition to these larger issues there are a few other factors which complicated the efforts to preserve the Wadi Gaza including its tendency to flood, the negative effects of overgrazing and the amount of water which has been drain from the aquifer. Given the importance of the Wadi Gaza as a resource it is also riddled with walls and fences to, either protect it or prevent others from have access to its banks. The extent of the fencing off is so great that it interferes with the wildlife that lives in and around the river. In recognition of this there are also projects to reduce the impact of human traffic and construction on the animal life. One such project focuses on the construction of bridges between 5 towns in the area, this will center traffic across the river in areas that are capable of handling it and allow for proper steps to be taken to reduce the impact. In addition this project has the potential to create more jobs for Palestinians who need the work.