it consists of mostly consolidated alluvium increasing in thickness towards the sea groundwater originates from the recharge areas inland and generally flows towards the sea where it discharges both egypt and israel have invested in alternative water supply options for the coastal areas through interbasin transfer and the use of nonconventional water resources the gaza strip does not have access to alternative water resources and depends almost entirely on the coastal aquifer basin for its water supply however as the aquifer in the gaza strip is severely threatened by overabstraction and pollution desalination is currently being explored as a major alternative source of water supply