UAE’s Lifeline Pipeline Begins Delivering Egypt-Sourced Water to Gaza

A critical water pipeline has commenced operations, bringing desalinated water from Egypt into southern Gaza, offering much‑needed relief amid a catastrophic collapse of the region’s water infrastructure. The UAE inaugurated the project today, under its Operation Gallant Knight 3, unveiling a 7.5‑kilometre conduit capable of delivering over 7.5 million litres—or nearly 2 million gallons—of potable water daily, with the capacity to serve more than one million people.

The pipeline connects to the Al‑Buraq reservoir in Khan Younis, enabling distribution across extensive portions of the enclave. The project complements earlier UAE contributions, including six desalination plants, water tankers and well rehabilitation efforts that have sustained communities in desperate need.

Under the supervision of UAE technical teams working closely with Gaza’s Coastal Municipalities Water Utility and in coordination with Egyptian authorities, the project was executed rapidly and with strict technical oversight. The inauguration was attended by representatives from the Operation Gallant Knight 3 Support Committee, local officials and community figures, who toured the site to observe pumping into distribution points and reservoirs.

According to sources, the pipeline aims to provide at least 15 litres of water per person each day to approximately 600,000 residents in areas such as Al‑Mawasi, southern Khan Younis and parts of Rafah—regions where water needs have become acutely dire.

Gaza’s water network has suffered devastating damage; more than 80 per cent of its facilities were rendered inoperative since Israel’s military operations began in October 2023. Many residents have subsisted on just 3 to 5 litres per day—far below minimum survival thresholds—raising alarm among humanitarian actors about rising waterborne disease and widespread dehydration.

Officials framed the pipeline not merely as an emergency fix but as part of a sustained UAE humanitarian strategy. Sharif Al Nairab, media official for Operation Gallant Knight 3, described the project as “an extension of the UAE’s consistent approach to supporting the Palestinian people,” noting prior efforts from constructing desalination plants to maintaining wells.

The project has secured necessary approvals and logistical coordination with Israeli authorities, including the defence establishment’s administrative arm overseeing civil affairs, COGAT. The initiative was explicitly positioned as humanitarian, not signalling political rapprochement or reconstruction beyond this life‑saving infrastructure.

Construction materials were transported across the Kerem Shalom crossing under Israeli security oversight, demonstrating a rare operational alignment amid the broader conflict context.