Israel Plans Humanitarian Water Aid for Eastern Ukraine

Israel has approved a new humanitarian aid package to provide clean drinking water systems to eastern Ukraine, where Russian bombardments have severely damaged water infrastructure. The package, funded by the Israeli Foreign Ministry and delivered through its aid agency MASHAV, will supply water to tens of thousands of people in conflict-affected areas. This initiative follows Israel's ongoing humanitarian support to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022, which included delivering food, medical supplies, electricity units, and establishing a field hospital. Despite this humanitarian aid, Israel has refrained from sending military assistance to Ukraine to maintain diplomatic relations with Moscow, a stance that has caused tensions with Kyiv. According to a 2024 UNICEF-led report, about 9.6 million Ukrainians, roughly a quarter of the population, lack adequate water and sanitation services due to the war. Recent renewed Russian attacks have intensified the need for such aid in eastern Ukraine.