Israeli Aggression on Gaza Results in 42 Million Tons of Contaminated Rubble.

Baku: Head of the Environment Quality Authority, Nisreen Tamimi, has highlighted the severe environmental impact of the ongoing Israeli occupation's aggression on the Gaza Strip, revealing a staggering accumulation of more than 42 million tons of rubble contaminated with hazardous substances and organic pollutants. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Tamimi addressed the critical situation during the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). She stressed that 95% of Gaza's water sources are polluted and unfit for human use, exacerbating the spread of infectious diseases in the region. The environmental degradation is a direct result of the occupation's actions, which have also led to the bulldozing and control of 4,000 hectares of land in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. Tamimi further noted the destruction of infrastructure and the annexation of more than 50% of nature reserves to benefit colonial and military expansion. She made an u rgent call to representatives of world countries to uphold their responsibilities under international law and agreements. Tamimi urged them to pressure Israel to cease its harmful actions, lift the siege, remove the ban on UNRWA, and strengthen efforts for relief, early recovery, and reconstruction with the ultimate aim of ending the occupation. The COP29 summit, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, serves as the implementation body of the Paris Agreement on climate change. It aims to identify global solutions to mitigate global warming and accelerate the green transition. At the summit, the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority represented the State of Palestine in addressing these pressing environmental and humanitarian issues.