Stinking heaps of garbage infested with flies are scattered across Gaza amidst the debris left behind by Israel’s destructive military assault, overflowing onto roadsides and between the makeshift shelters where the majority of the devastated population resides.
Public services like waste collection came to a halt when the conflict erupted, and while some services have started to resume since the recent ceasefire, the extensive damage caused by the war means a comprehensive cleanup is a distant prospect.
Mahmoud Abu Reida, living in Khan Younis with his wife and four children, expressed his distress over the foul smell emanating from the nearby dumpster, causing sleep disturbances and respiratory issues for his family. The accumulation of decaying trash, contaminated pools of sewage, toxic remnants from bomb sites, and noxious fumes from burning materials have created an unhealthy environment for the residents of Gaza.
Alessandro Mrakic, who leads the Gaza office of the UNDP, highlighted the enormity of the waste crisis in Gaza, noting that landfill sites were already at capacity before the conflict began. With three main dump sites near the Israeli border now inaccessible, Palestinians are facing a monumental challenge with approximately 2 million tons of untreated waste scattered across the region, posing significant risks to public health and the environment.
Numerous individuals have reported suffering from gastrointestinal illnesses and skin conditions ranging from diarrhea to skin rashes, sores, and infestations like lice and scabies, with medical professionals attributing these issues to pollution. Overcrowding in tents situated near garbage dumps has exacerbated the spread of skin diseases, according to Sami Abu Taha, a dermatologist at a field hospital in Khan Younis, who expressed frustration over the lack of adequate medical supplies to address these ailments.
Abu Reida shared that one of his children has been repeatedly hospitalized due to a bacterial infection believed to have originated from the nearby waste container. In a different area of Khan Younis, Mahmoud Helles described the dire living conditions, surrounded by a pond of sewage and pointing out skin irritations caused by the unsanitary environment resulting from the war’s aftermath.
Significant damage to Gaza’s sewage and wastewater infrastructure from Israeli airstrikes and ground incursions has forced residents to resort to open latrines, exacerbating health risks and contamination concerns. The United Nations is formulating strategies to tackle the waste crisis, including exploring options for waste-to-energy facilities to address the mounting environmental and health challenges.
Mrakic emphasized the urgent need for immediate interventions, particularly by providing access to essential machinery and equipment to facilitate effective waste management on the ground.