Wazzani Water Pumping Station: Renewed bombing threatens water security in South Lebanon

Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi

In 2002, the Wazzani Water Pumping Station project was launched.

The Wazzani River, originating from the south, provides Lebanon with nearly two million cubic meters of water out of 16 million cubic meters allocated to the project. It stretches five kilometers before flowing into the Sea of Galilee in occupied Palestine.

At the time, this achievement was considered a victory, adding to the liberation efforts of 2000 in the ongoing struggle for land and water resources against Israeli occupation, which has never hidden its greed for Lebanon's entire water supply.

During the 2006 Lebanon war, the Wazzani station, which supplies about 50 southern villages, was bombed.

The Wazzani station was bombed again 18 years later. The pump room was targeted, damaging its control panels and cutting off its electricity supply.

Amid the deteriorating security situation in the region, it has become impossible to assess the extent of the damage.

The South Lebanon Water Establishment and project officials will strive to expedite efforts to restore the station. The water cut-off could further displace residents of these villages, already suffering from daily Israeli shelling.