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Algae bloom shuts Gaza desalination and wastewater systems

9/9/2026

2 1 Full Breakdown

Summary

Israel Restores Desalination

Israel's Water Authority and Energy Ministry are restoring desalination plants after algae bloom shut most facilities.
Five of six coastal desalination plants went offline Sunday because microscopic algae entered the system.
The Water Authority sprayed copper from aircraft over a nine-kilometer stretch near Ashkelon, prompting a fishing ban.
Israel bought thousands of reverse-osmosis membranes to replace clogged units.

Summary

Gaza Wastewater Crisis

All six Gaza wastewater treatment plants are offline and about 70% of sewage pumps are non-functional.
Avner Gross says Gaza’s nutrient-rich waste fuels the bloom, while Tamar Guy-Haim says its role is minor.
Edo Bar-Zeev warns climate-induced warming could make such algal events more common.
Noga Armi of Zalul urges regional cooperation because Gaza’s wastewater crisis impacts neighboring waters.

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Israel Restores Desalination

Israel's Water Authority and Energy Ministry are restoring desalination plants after algae bloom shut most facilities.
Five of six coastal desalination plants went offline Sunday because microscopic algae entered the system.
The Water Authority sprayed copper from aircraft over a nine-kilometer stretch near Ashkelon, prompting a fishing ban.
Israel bought thousands of reverse-osmosis membranes to replace clogged units.

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