DaysofPal — The Gaza Strip is on the brink of an environmental and health disaster as garbage piles up and sewage systems collapse amid Israel’s ongoing war and blockade, a top municipal official warned Friday.
Husni Muhanna, spokesperson for Gaza Municipality’s Emergency Committee said that nearly 260,000 tons of uncollected waste are scattered across the densely populated strip.
With soaring temperatures, there is growing concern that toxic leachate from the waste could seep into the groundwater, threatening what remains of the territory’s already fragile water supply.
“The accumulation of garbage inside residential areas is now a serious public health threat,” Muhanna said, pointing to overcrowding, Israel’s refusal to allow the waste to be removed, and the complete collapse of any waste treatment systems.
He added that if groundwater contamination occurs, “it could take years to repair the damage,” a grim prospect for a population already facing dire living conditions.
The situation is further aggravated by the destruction of sewage networks and infrastructure due to Israeli bombardments. Muhanna warned this may lead to widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases, especially among displaced communities living in makeshift shelters.
One of the most pressing crises is unfolding at Sheikh Radwan sewage basin, where wastewater levels have risen 5.5 meters, now filling 70% of the reservoir. The surrounding area, home to nearly 1 million displaced people, faces the threat of deadly flooding.
“If this sewage pool overflows, it could flood thousands of tents with contaminated water, leading to an uncontrollable public health disaster,” he warned.
The surrounding neighborhood was heavily damaged during Israeli strikes, with many buildings at risk of collapse. Any overflow from the basin would likely contaminate nearby streets, creating a “toxic environment,” Muhanna noted.
He also highlighted the risk of infectious disease outbreaks due to increasing population density and deteriorating sanitary conditions.
Adding to the crisis, Muhanna said, is Israel’s ongoing forced displacement, which has concentrated more than one million Palestinians in western Gaza, a zone now lacking fuel, water, and sanitation services.
The municipality is also unable to remove rubble or clean affected areas, as 134 municipal vehicles and machines have been destroyed. The fuel shortage has paralyzed key services, including water wells, sewage pumps, and repair work.
Muhanna stressed that Gaza’s drinking water supply is nearing collapse, with desalination plants and groundwater wells out of operation due to the fuel blockade.
“This is a ticking time bomb,” he said, calling on the international community and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action.
He urged for the urgent delivery of fuel, sanitation materials, and medical aid, warning that without swift intervention, Gaza’s health and environment will suffer irreversible collapse.
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