Israel approves plan to top up Sea of Galilee's dangerously low water levels

Galilee, which is also known as Lake Kinneret, is currently at 213.46 metres (689 feet) below sea level, placing it beyond the red line level, which indicates serious danger. If it falls further to the black line level of 214.87, it could face permanent ecological damage, JTA reported.

A decade ago, the lake was the country’s largest freshwater reserve, providing 400 million cubic metres a year.

But following a succession of dry winters, its level has shrunk to such a degree that only 30-40 million cubic metres can be retrieved.

“Over the years Israel has shown an amazing ability to deal with the water problem, which has caused endless conflicts in our region for thousands of years,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

“But thanks to technology, initiatives and creativity, we have succeeded in overcoming it.”