From the Heart of Humanitarian Suffering: Gaza’s Environmental Crisis Amid War

At the intersection of political and environmental crises, Gaza stands as a region bearing the full brunt of environmental pollution caused by continuous war and ongoing extermination. Amid crowded refugee camps, contaminated water, dust-laden air, and destroyed agricultural land, the impacts of pollution accumulate, posing a direct threat to both the environment and human health. Since October 2023, the region has endured an unprecedented war in terms of intensity and scope, quietly revealing the contours of an environmental disaster alongside the ongoing humanitarian tragedy.

Over 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza were forced to flee their destroyed homes, according to United Nations reports, living in tents surrounded by piles of waste that everyone knows will negatively affect their health. Yet there is no alternative—either die or live among tons of waste to survive.

Due to the worsening crisis and the continuation of the war, Gaza faces major challenges from disrupted health services, leading to massive accumulation of waste near overcrowded camps. Weapons used by the Israeli occupation have contributed to the pollution of air, soil, and water. The United Nations Environment Programme stated on June 19, 2024: “The environmental impacts of the war in Gaza are unprecedented, exposing communities to rapidly increasing pollution in soil, water, and air, alongside irreparable damage to natural ecosystems.”

According to UN reports, more than 70% of Gaza’s water and sewage networks were directly or indirectly damaged by bombing, with nearly all wastewater treatment plants rendered nonfunctional. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that over 97% of Gaza’s water is unsafe to drink—a figure that has worsened during the war due to the shutdown of water wells and desalination plants. Additionally, more than 280 consecutive days of electricity cuts have halted pumping stations, turning sewage into open flows that run into streets, farms, or the sea, causing severe contamination of groundwater, soil, and coastal waters.

The disaster extends to agriculture: over 45,000 dunams of farmland have been damaged or rendered inaccessible, including thousands of greenhouses and livestock and fish farms. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that over 60% of families can no longer access local food sources, worsening food insecurity. With ongoing bombardment in rural areas, unexploded ordnance and contaminated rubble—containing toxic materials such as asbestos and heavy metals—litter the fields.

This report documents Gaza’s environmental destruction during the ongoing war, providing field observations, eyewitness accounts, and verified statistics. It highlights a neglected dimension of the conflict and situates these impacts within a legal framework, emphasizing the need to integrate environmental protection into post-war reconstruction efforts to preserve life in the devastated territory.

Chapter 1: Collapse of Environmental Infrastructure

Water Pollution:
UN reports indicate that over 70% of Gaza’s water and sanitation networks were damaged, while almost all wastewater treatment plants are out of service. OCHA estimates that more than 97% of Gaza’s water is unfit for consumption. Prolonged power cuts exceeding 280 days have stopped pumping stations, turning sewage into open flows contaminating streets, farmland, and the sea.

The main causes of water pollution include:

1. Contamination from weapons and explosives used by the Israeli occupation:
The occupation deployed various weapons targeting homes, contaminating groundwater relied upon for drinking and irrigation. Over 700 wells were destroyed, leaving clean water scarce. UN Environment Programme reports note that “pollution from war may take decades to fully remediate without urgent, systematic action.”

2. Destruction of infrastructure and sewage networks:
Damage to Gaza’s infrastructure prevented proper sewage disposal. Reports indicate five major wastewater treatment plants have been out of service since the crisis began. Israeli attacks destroyed 330,000 km of water networks, 655,000 m of sewage lines, and nearly 3 million meters of roads, according to Al Jazeera (October 9, 2024).

Due to displacement and lack of services, residents dug makeshift sewage pits, contaminating groundwater. One resident reported on July 28, 2025: “We used water from a local well, but after digging a pit for sewage, the water turned yellow and foul-smelling.”

3. Surface and seawater contamination:
Sewage runoff and solid waste have polluted the sea. On August 8, 2024, BBC reported discoloration of coastal waters in the Mediterranean. Environmental experts confirmed that untreated sewage from crowded camps is flowing into the sea.

International humanitarian law prohibits attacking or destroying essential resources like drinking water (Protocol II, 1977, Article 14), yet Israel continues actions that cause irreparable water damage. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, stated: “Water and sanitation systems have collapsed. Coastal areas, soil, and ecosystems are severely affected, endangering health, food security, and Gaza’s resilience.”

Chapter 2: Multi-Dimensional Pollution

Air Pollution:
Air is contaminated due to prohibited weapons and explosives releasing toxic gases and dust, creating long-lasting respiratory hazards. This is prohibited under International Humanitarian Law (Protocol I, 1977, Article 35/3). Previous wars, such as 2008–2009, saw use of white phosphorus, causing chronic illnesses and congenital defects.

Disruption of health services:
Halted health services prevent waste management, causing accumulation of solid waste in camps, fostering disease vectors such as insects and rodents.

Cooking fuel scarcity:
With cooking gas unavailable, residents burn wood, cloth, and foam, worsening air quality.

Mass burials and animal carcasses:
High fatalities and insufficient cemeteries led to improper burial practices and decomposition near populated areas, contaminating soil and air.

Chapter 3: Agriculture and Food Security

Over 45,000 dunams of farmland were damaged or inaccessible, including greenhouses, livestock, and fish farms. FAO reports over 60% of families lost access to local food sources, worsening food insecurity. Over 81% of agricultural land is destroyed (UNSTAT assessment based on aerial images), threatening livelihoods and nutrition.

International humanitarian law prohibits destruction of agriculture and natural resources (Protocol I, 1977, Article 55).

Chapter 4: Impact on Biodiversity

Bombing, destruction of green spaces, and urban sprawl have destroyed natural habitats for rare plants and animals. Polluted soil, water, and air threaten pollinators, aquatic life, and marine ecosystems, reducing biodiversity (IPBES report).

Chapter 5: Environmental Health Impacts

Respiratory diseases and suffocation: Exposure to toxic air has caused respiratory illnesses, miscarriages, and birth defects.

Skin diseases and pests: Waste accumulation fosters insects and skin infections.

Severe diseases: Contaminated water spreads hepatitis, diarrhea, and other infectious diseases.

Malnutrition and famine: Israel’s blockade has caused prolonged food shortages. WHO reports half a million people suffer severe hunger and malnutrition, including 71,000 children under five.

Chapter 6: Environmental Protection under International Humanitarian Law

Maher Masoud, Professor of International Law, notes key legal references:

Geneva Conventions (Additional Protocol I, 1977, Articles 35(3) & 55(1))

Rome Statute of the ICC (Article 8-2-b-4)

Protection is limited due to the need to prove widespread, long-term, and severe damage, making ecocide prosecution challenging.

Relevant treaties:

Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) – Article 53: prohibits destruction of civilian property, including water and sanitation.

Protocol I (1977) – Articles 35/3 & 55: prohibits environmentally harmful warfare.

Protocol II (1977) – Article 14: protects essential resources like water and food.

ENMOD Convention (1976) – prohibits deliberate environmental modification for warfare.

Challenges include difficulty proving environmental harm, lack of oversight in non-international conflicts, and vague terminology like “widespread” and “long-term.”

Chapter 7: Recommendations and Conclusion

The war has left no element of life untouched, creating a silent war between humans and the environment. Recommended actions include:

Launch independent international investigations to document environmental damage and hold perpetrators accountable.

Provide urgent technical and financial support to rehabilitate water, sanitation, and environmental infrastructure.

Strengthen independent environmental monitoring via local and international organizations.

Ban use of internationally prohibited weapons causing long-term pollution.

Integrate environmental considerations into relief and reconstruction with clear standards.

Promote community environmental awareness campaigns in schools and local communities.

Apply environmental justice to prioritize vulnerable populations and ensure equitable resource distribution.

Conclusion:
The environment is no longer a passive victim but a battlefield itself. Pollution and destruction extend beyond buildings, affecting human health and dignity. Addressing these impacts requires coordinated international action, sustainable reconstruction, and strict adherence to international humanitarian law. Protecting the environment is essential for human survival, dignity, and long-term peace.