Publication Date
Fall 2024
Abstract
This study examines the impact of the 2023 Israel-Gaza War on Jordan’s escalating water crisis, a challenge compounded by rapid population growth, climate change, and regional geopolitics. Jordan, one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, relies heavily on transboundary water-sharing agreements, particularly with Israel. However, the war has intensified tensions between the two countries, disrupting existing agreements and exposing Jordan’s vulnerability to Israel’s hydro-hegemony. Through qualitative research, including interviews with Jordanian experts in water policy, environmental studies, and geopolitics, the study explores three key themes: Israel’s dominance over regional water resources, the domestic and international pressures constraining Jordan’s diplomacy, and the nation’s uncertain future in balancing water security with sovereignty. The findings reveal how the war has deepened Jordan’s dependence on Israeli resources while sparking widespread domestic opposition to such reliance. The study emphasizes the urgent need for equitable resource-sharing agreements, improved water infrastructure, and regional collaboration to address the intersecting pressures of resource scarcity and conflict. By highlighting the complex interplay of geopolitics and environmental challenges, this research contributes to understanding how conflict exacerbates resource insecurity and underscores the necessity of innovative, sustainable strategies for managing water resources in the Levant.
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Geromini, Lucas, "Thirst for Power: Exploring the Impact of the 2023 Israel-Gaza War on the Jordanian Water Crisis" (2024). Jordan: Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action. 1.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/joh2/1