UAE Advances Water Security in Gaza Through Desalination and Infrastructure Projects
The United Arab Emirates continues its humanitarian commitment to Palestinians through Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, expanding water infrastructure across the Gaza Strip to serve hundreds of thousands of residents and displaced persons.
The United Arab Emirates maintains its dedication to alleviating the water crisis affecting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip through an ambitious humanitarian initiative encompassing desalination facilities, well-drilling programmes and comprehensive water distribution systems.
Under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, the UAE has established six desalination plants on the Egyptian side of the border, with pipelines now supplying potable water to approximately one million displaced residents in Rafah. This critical infrastructure began operations in December 2023, marking a significant milestone in addressing severe water shortages affecting the territory.
The scope of the UAE’s water security programme has expanded substantially. In August 2025, engineers completed a 7.5-kilometre pipeline extension to Khan Younis in southern Gaza, now delivering five million litres of water daily to around 700,000 individuals. Field teams continue working to extend additional pipelines, establish distribution points and maintain existing infrastructure to ensure reliable water access throughout the region.
The operational achievements of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 reflect sustained commitment to humanitarian principles. Teams have delivered 37 water tankers, with recent deliveries occurring in September 2026, whilst drilling 121 wells across Gaza to benefit approximately 600,000 people. The initiative has also provided 20,000 gallons of water storage capacity and 270 storage tanks, enabling families and communities to secure reliable water supplies in targeted areas across the territory.
These multifaceted infrastructure projects represent the UAE’s broader strategy to support Palestinian communities by ensuring access to essential services. By combining modern desalination technology with traditional well-drilling methods and practical distribution infrastructure, the initiative addresses immediate humanitarian needs whilst building long-term resilience within Gaza’s water systems.
Source: WAM