conducted to give a model for the structure of the aquifer of the study area. Therefore, the aim of the study is to obtain the subsurface lithological structure in the study area and its possible role in the salinization of groundwater. This is con- sidered as an update to the geological cross-section already existing (Fig. 2) for the Gaza Strip (Greitzer and Dan 1967). Geological setting of the Gaza coastal aquifer The coastal plain aquifer extends from the coast of the Med- iterranean Sea in the west to the foothills of the mountain area in the east (Fig. 3). It is part of a regional groundwater system that stretches from the coastal area of Sinai in the south to Fig. 3. The coastal aquifer basin of Palestine At the center of the section, the rainfall can infiltrate to replenish groundwater due to the absence of clay lenses. Therefore, the wells located at this area have less Cl concen- tration. Towards the west, the wells have been influenced by rainwater infiltration that flow with natural slope of the layers. Again, the wells at this location have less Cl concentrations (Fig. 4). While, the wells located to the east of this cross- section have more Cl concentration because the area is far away from the area of replenishment and close to the sea which might was affected by sea water intrusion. The water level is varied in this area due to the differences of the depth of the wells in this area. Cross-section no. 4 (Fig. 10) was obtained from boreholes located at Khan Younis district. The cross-section is parallel to the previous three sections. Eight lithological well logs have been used for drawing this section. These wells are Pizo/5, Pizo/38, L/86A, L/182, L/184, L/70, P151, and Pizo/7. From Fig. 6 Some examples of the well logs that have been used to draw the lithological cross-sections Fig. 6 (continued) Fig. 7 Cross-section no. 1 at Rafah district Fig. 8 Cross-section no. 2 at Rafah district this cross-section, the presence of two large clay lenses joined together (Fig. 10) can be noticed. This section shows the lithological subsurface role in reducing the aquifer capacity for receiving quantities of renewable water due to the presence of these two clay lenses. There is an insignificant variation in cross-section no. 4 compared with cross-section no. 3 in terms of saturated zone thickness. The numbers of clay lenses at the western part are decreased. The thick clay lens extends more in section no. 4 towards the eastern part. This causes the reduction of the Fig. 10 Cross-section no. 4 at Khan Younis district up to 110 m below sea level. Cl concentration of these wells in this area increased (Fig. 4). This confirms that the clay lenses are behind unreplenished groundwater processes that increase salinity in these wells. infiltration rainfall to replenish groundwater and minimizes the capacity of the aquifer for saving large quantities of freshwater. Most of the wells located at the section have different depth penetrating the thick clay lenses and reaching Fig. 11 Cross-section no. 5 at Khan Younis district Fig. 12 Cross-section no. 6 at Khan Younis district Cross-section no. 5 (Fig. 11) is also located at Khan Younis district as cross-section no. 4. Seven lithological well logs have been used to draw this section. These wells are arranged from west to east as Peizo/18, Peizo/19, Camp/11, L/43, M/ 11, L/198, and Camp/8. From this cross-section, the disap- pearance of the thick clay lenses can be noticed. This can give
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