A glimmer of despair and hope in Gaza.
In the midst of relentless bombing and widespread devastation in Gaza, where survival is a daily struggle, an urgent question arises: how do people live when even the basic necessities of life are cut off?
In a region where clean water has become a luxury and power outages last forever, one woman’s ingenuity is a testament to human resilience. Inas al-Ghul, a 50-year-old agricultural engineer, dared to find light—literally—in the darkness,
creating a solar-powered water filtration system that offers not only clean water but a lifeline for those experiencing unimaginable hardship. Born out of desperation, this innovative solution quickly became a beacon of hope for a community on the brink of collapse.
In the war-torn Gaza Strip, where water shortages and damaged infrastructure are a daily struggle, 50-year-old agricultural engineer Inas al-Ghul has created a solar water filtration system. This ingenious device has become a vital resource for Palestinians who endure relentless bombardment and extreme heat. Using salvaged materials such as wood from utility pallets and discarded window panes, al-Ghul built a glass trough that uses the greenhouse effect to evaporate and purify salt water, making it safe to drink.
Using the greenhouse effect
The construction of the system is simple and effective. The glass panels capture sunlight, heating the water in the trough and causing it to evaporate. As water vapor condenses, it leaves salt behind. The cleaned steam is led through a black hose into other containers filled with activated carbon, which removes other impurities. Al-Ghul explains, “This is a very simple device, both to build and to use.”
Operation without electricity
What sets al-Ghul’s invention apart is its independence from electricity, advanced filters, or solar panels. Instead, it runs entirely on the sun, an abundant resource in Gaza, receiving 14 hours of sunlight in the summer and 8 hours in the winter. This feature is especially important as the Gaza power plant remains out of service and electricity from Israel has been cut for months.
Gaza water crisis
Even before the ongoing conflict, access to clean water in Gaza was severely limited. The population depends on a deteriorating aquifer, and currently,y the average daily water supply per person is only 4.7literses, less than a third of the minimum amount recommended in an emergency.
According to Oxfam, this is equivalent to “less than one flush of a toilet”, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the potential for a large-scale health crisis.
A life-saving invention
For Palestinians like Mohammad Abu Daoud who have been displaced by the conflict, al-Ghul’s solar filter has been a lifesaver. “For almost two months, we were completely dependent on this system,” he said. At a nearby school shelter, several families rely on filtered water to fill bottles. Despite its modest size, the 250-liter clean water tank empties quickly.
Water as a weapon in conflict
Oxfam reports that Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been continuously targeted during the conflict, with five sites destroyed or damaged every three days. The organization accuses Israel of “weaponizing water as an instrument of war,” further worsening conditions for Gaza’s 2.4 million residents.
A growing health emergency
Water scarcity has already led to a significant public health crisis. Oxfam estimates that 26% of Gazans suffer from serious preventable diseases due to aa lack of clean water. While al-Ghul’s filtration system offers a beacon of hope, it is insufficient to meet the needs of the entire population.
Resilience in the midst of adversity
Despite the looming threat of air raids, al-Ghul continues to watch over his invention from his terrace, carefully managing the water supply by adjusting the taps. Her ingenuity and determination are emblematic of the resilience shown by the people of Gaza, who have found ways to innovate and survive in the face of unimaginable hardship.
A symbol of hope and ingenuity
In a region defined by destruction and displacement, al-Ghul’s solar-powered water filter is a testament to human ingenuity and resilience. This simple but essential invention shows how harnessing natural resources can solve critical needs in times of crisis.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Water in Gaza
As the conflict continues, the demand for solutions like al-Ghul’s filtration system will only grow. While her invention has already made a significant difference to her community, much effort is needed to solve Gaza’s long-term water crisis. For now, al-Ghul’s creativity and determination provide a glimmer of hope, reminding the world of the strength and courage of individuals even in the most dire of circumstances.
Conclusion
The Inas al-Ghul solar water filtration system stands as a beacon of hope amid the ongoing hardships in Gaza. By creatively using solar energy and repurposing salvaged materials, she provided her community with a life-saving solution in a time of crisis. While this innovation highlights the incredible resilience and resourcefulness of individuals like al-Ghul, it also underscores the urgent need for systemic solutions to the larger water and infrastructure challenges facing Gaza. Her invention may not solve the crisis alone, but it serves as a powerful reminder of the human capacity to innovate and persevere, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. As the water crisis in Gaza deepens, her work inspires not only survival but hope for a better future.