Hamas says destruction of Gaza desalination plant undermines ceasefire

Hamas on Monday condemned an Israeli airstrike that destroyed a desalination plant in Gaza City, describing the attack as a continuation of Israel’s campaign against the Palestinian population and accusing it of undermining the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem issued the statement after Israeli warplanes struck the facility in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, northwest of Gaza City.

“The targeting and destruction of a desalination plant in Gaza City by the occupation’s warplanes is a continuation of the genocide against the people of the Gaza Strip and a further erosion of all means of survival,” Qassem said.

He also accused Israel of continuing to pursue the displacement of Palestinians, pointing to strikes in areas sheltering displaced families and damage to their tents.

Qassem said the attacks demonstrated what he described as disregard for the ceasefire agreement backed by US President Donald Trump and the leaders of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli aircraft destroyed the desalination facility shortly after an evacuation warning was issued for the surrounding area.

According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent, the strike also caused extensive damage to tents housing displaced Palestinians near the plant.

The Israeli military simultaneously issued evacuation warnings covering other residential areas of Gaza, prompting families to leave amid fears of further airstrikes.

The desalination plant supplied potable water to residents and displaced families in and around Sheikh Radwan, and its destruction comes amid an already severe shortage of safe drinking water in Gaza.