Gaza: The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) and Environment Quality Authority revealed in a recent press release that Gaza is enduring an unprecedented environmental and humanitarian crisis due to ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7th, 2023. The devastation includes severe damage to water and sewage infrastructure, with agricultural lands contaminated by explosives and toxins spreading due to the use of banned incendiary and phosphorus weapons. Coastal areas are also suffering as sewage and chemical waste leak into the Mediterranean Sea, drastically affecting biodiversity.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the environmental destruction in Gaza is not merely collateral damage but a deliberate crime that threatens to render the area uninhabitable. The potential radioactive contamination from bombed industrial sites poses a long-term health risk to future generations, not just in Gaza but across the Eastern Mediterranean. The release emphasized the gravity of the situation, describing it as a "double genocide" against both humans and nature and urged the international community to hold accountable those responsible for weaponizing the environment.
The ongoing crisis has severely impacted water security, with 91% of households in Gaza experiencing water insecurity. A staggering 65% of the population receives only 3-5 liters per person per day for drinking and cooking, far below the World Health Organization's minimum requirement in emergencies. The conflict has destroyed or damaged over 80% of water stations and 330,000 meters of water networks, leading to the collapse of sanitation services.
Since the recent escalation, more than 85% of the water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza has been partially or completely destroyed, affecting all major wastewater treatment plants. The destruction of wastewater pumping stations and sewage networks has paralyzed the sanitation system, causing untreated wastewater to contaminate the environment.
The situation is similarly dire in the West Bank, where Israeli operations have damaged critical infrastructure in Palestinian refugee camps. In Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas Governorates, significant damage to water and sewage networks has been reported, exacerbating health risks for the local population.
Gaza's waste management system is nearing collapse, with over half a million tons of solid waste accumulating due to the destruction of waste collection vehicles and roads. Temporary landfills near residential areas have led to air pollution and health issues from toxic gas emissions. The destruction has also produced approximately 50 million tons of rubble, a portion of which is hazardous, presenting an unprecedented environmental and humanitarian challenge.