The Devastated Environment of Gaza: A Call for Immediate Action

The conflict in Gaza has not only devastated human life but also inflicted unprecedented environmental damage. As the territory’s inhabitants return to their homes since the ceasefire, the extent of the environmental devastation has become starkly apparent. This raises critical questions about how to reconstruct Gaza while addressing severe and potentially irreversible harm to the environment.

Water and Sewage Crisis

The war has disrupted water supplies and disabled sewage treatment facilities, leading to the unchecked flow of raw waste across the land, contaminating the Mediterranean Sea and underground water reserves essential for agriculture.

More than two-thirds of Gaza’s farmland, including wells and greenhouses, has been damaged or destroyed. Detailed satellite images post-ceasefire reveal that 80% of Gaza’s trees have been lost. Vital wetlands, sand dunes, coastal waters, and the Wadi Gaza, the territory’s only significant river, have suffered extensively.

The UN Environment Programme warns that the deforestation and stripping of crops have severely degraded Gaza’s soils, pushing it towards long-term desertification.

Environmental Assessment and Restoration

Scientists and experts are advocating for an international fact-finding committee to assess the environmental damage and plan for restoration. Ahmed Hilles, head of the National Institute for Environment and Development, a leading Palestinian think tank, emphasizes the need to prioritize water source rehabilitation, soil remediation, and agricultural land restoration.

Gaza’s Rich Biodiversity

Gaza, though small, supports a rich biodiversity hotspot where animals from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa converge. It supports over 250 bird species and 100 mammal species. Wildlife has thrived in Gaza, benefiting from abundant underground water reserves and fertile soils, which also attracted Palestinians escaping earlier conflicts.

Water Scarcity Crisis

Gaza’s population soared to over 2 million inhabitants, leading to excessive extraction of groundwater. Prior to the war, water extraction was three times greater than natural recharge. Over time, seawater has infiltrated Gaza’s underground aquifer, and by 2023, more than 97% of the water was undrinkable. Currently, public water supplies primarily come from desalination plants, controlled by Israel.

Humanitarian Challenges

A survey found that only 14% of households rely on public water supplies. Most resort to potentially contaminated open wells or unregulated private tankers. International human rights advocates criticize water restrictions as a form of weapon against Palestinians.

Warfare and Environment

Israel contends that its actions were proportional and necessary, while experts argue that environmental damage is not incidental but deliberate. The war has exacerbated contamination of groundwater and flooding of underground tunnels by seawater, posing long-term risks.

Agricultural and Ecosystem Destruction

Before the conflict, cultivation covered more than a third of Gaza. However, by September, two-thirds of farmland had been damaged. Analyses by Forensic Architecture show that over 2,000 farms and greenhouses were destroyed, often by military earthworks.

Tree loss, a significant factor, has devastated agricultural productivity. He Yin, a geographer from Kent State University, reports a 90% loss of trees in northern Gaza since the war. The loss of a single tree can be devastating for small farms, with broader implications for soil health and desertification.

Impact on Wildlife

Gaza’s limited space for nature has been severely affected. Despite human pressures, some species have shown resilience. For example, the abandonment of Israeli settlements led to the return of wolves and other wildlife to Gaza. However, ongoing pollution and destruction threaten these gains.

The Wadi Gaza, an important habitat for migrating birds, has become a dumping ground again after the war. Al-Mawasi, a fertile strip near Egypt, was bombed by Israeli forces, causing extensive environmental damage.

Challenges for Monitoring and Restoration

Ground-level monitoring of Gaza’s environment remains difficult due to safety and security issues. Academic institutions, including the Islamic University of Gaza, suffered significant damage, hindering research and reconstruction efforts.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The environmental devastation in Gaza demands urgent international attention and action. Comprehensive restoration efforts, backed by robust monitoring and scientific research, are essential to protect this vital yet fragile ecosystem. Collaboration between international organizations, Palestinian authorities, and environmental experts is crucial for the long-term recovery of Gaza.