Severe Health Hazards
Throughout the Gaza Strip, the war’s aftermath has resulted in piles of rotting rubbish, creating a looming health and environmental crisis. Asmahan al-Masri, a displaced woman now living in Khan Younis, voices her distress: “We’ve never lived next to rubbish before. This is like a slow death. There is no dignity.” The UN reports that over the past eight months, more than 330,400 tonnes of solid waste have accumulated in Gaza.
Living Conditions Deteriorate
Sixteen members of the Masri family share a tent near al-Aqsa University, surrounded by flies, snakes, and stray dogs. The residents constantly complain about the stench. “The smell is very disturbing. I keep my tent door open for air, but there is no air—just the smell of rubbish,” Asmahan says. This dire situation forces many to scavenge for food, use, or sell items from the waste.
Strain on Basic Services
Before the war, years of blockade by Israel and Egypt severely strained Gaza’s basic services, including waste disposal. The tight restrictions meant there were insufficient rubbish trucks and equipment for proper waste management. Since the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, Israel’s military has blocked access to Gaza’s main landfill sites, exacerbating the waste crisis.
UNRWA’s Assessment
Sam Rose, director of planning for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), highlights the worsening waste management crisis in Gaza. He notes, “People are literally living amongst the garbage.” The mass displacement has overwhelmed local authorities, who struggle with damaged facilities, a lack of staff, and insufficient equipment and fuel.
Municipality’s Regret
At Khan Younis municipality, official Omar Matar regrets the appalling conditions near al-Aqsa University. “These random dumps do not meet health and environmental standards,” he says. The dumps were an emergency measure due to the closure of the Sofa landfill site until a solution is found with international institutions to transport the waste.
Urgent Call for Action
The UN Development Programme has recently collected 47,000 tonnes of waste and distributed 80,000 litres of fuel for the clean-up effort. However, much more needs to be done. With summer temperatures rising, aid agencies warn of increased health hazards. Desperation drives many Gazans to take extra risks, scavenging for items to survive. “We got used to the smell,” says Mohammed, a boy scavenging near Deir al-Balah. “Every day we come here to look for things we can burn to make fires.”
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