Israel Faces Water Shortage Due to Unprecedented Natural Phenomenon

Israel's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Eli Cohen, addressed the public on Tuesday regarding an unusual water event impacting the nation, a leading global desalination power. Cohen explained that a natural phenomenon, unseen in the past two decades, has significantly increased the turbidity of seawater, leading to the shutdown of most desalination plants.

"Israel has a robust water economy, and we will ensure a regular water supply to all homes across the country," Cohen assured citizens. He detailed that the phenomenon involves a substantial rise in seawater turbidity, causing the operational halt of the majority of desalination facilities.

To compensate, the minister stated that Israel is increasing pumping from wells and the Sea of Galilee, and two additional desalination plants have been activated to maintain supply. Water supply to farmers and for public landscaping has been reduced temporarily, with plans to potentially bring more desalination plants online to support agriculture later.

Cohen expressed gratitude to employees from Mekorot, the Water Authority, and the Ministry of Energy for their round-the-clock efforts to ensure continuous water supply. Reports of water supply disruptions have emerged in Beersheba, following similar issues in Jerusalem the previous day, with further disruptions anticipated in other cities if the crisis persists.