JERUSALEM, July 13 -- Israel and the Palestinian National Authority announced Thursday a new water deal under which Israel would supply the Palestinians with millions of cubic meters annually.

U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, who helped to negotiate the deal, said it was an "important step forward" towards a regional water deal.

The agreement was announced at a joint press conference in Jerusalem held by Israel's Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, Head of the Palestinian Water Authority Mazen Ghoneim, and Greenblatt.

The Palestinians suffer a water shortage and complain an unequal distribution of water between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Under the new deal, Israel would provide the PNA with 32 million cubic meters per year -- 10 million of which would be provided to the Gaza Strip and the rest would be directed to the West Bank.

The agreement was the first step in wider, trilateral plan that involves the construction of a 220-kilimeter pipeline transferring water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea to replenish the draining and depleting Dead Sear. It involves Israel, Jordan, and the PNA.

"Water is a precious commodity in the Middle East," Greenblatt said during the signing ceremony. "The U.S. welcomes the agreement reached by the Palestinian Authority and the government of Israel, which will allow for the sale of 32 million cubic meters of water from Israel to the Palestinian Authority," he said.

【国际英语资讯:Trump envoy mediates Israeli-Palestinian water deal】相关文章：

★ 汤森路透结盟四年 汤姆森家族走向台前

★ 日美将检讨防卫合作指导方针

★ 朝鲜领导人恢复新年电视讲话传统

★ FT社评：亚洲和平繁荣需中日美三方努力

★ 美国需要一个整合的商务部

★ KKR亚洲基金完成60亿美元筹资

★ 不能轻视创造财富

★ Lex专栏：香港上市新规适逢其时

★ 帕丁森女友遭揩油狂吃醋 狼人成情敌

★ 希腊神话：The Olympin Gods 奥林比斯山神（中英对照）