January 26, 2010

GAZA, (PIC)-- Palestinian minister of agriculture Dr. Ramadan Agha, said Wednesday that the flooding in Gaza valley was deliberately created by Israel in order to cause an environmental catastrophe and destroy the agricultural life in the areas of the valley, Johr Al-Deek and AL-Maghraqa.

During a symposium on Gaza valley flood organized by the ministry, Dr. Agha noted that Israel used to dump chemical waste in the eastern side of the valley and when it opened the floodgates of one of its dams, all this is swept throughout the flooded areas leading to the contamination of soil and water.

The minister highlighted that the direct and indirect losses of the agriculture sector caused by Gaza valley flood amounted to more than $1,000,000.

He added that his ministry mobilized its entire technical and administrative staff to assess the damage caused by the flood such as the destroyed dunums of agricultural lands, the death of livestock, and the contamination of soil and groundwater.

The minister pointed out that the government distributed emergency aid to the distressed families whose homes were flooded.