Unveiling Gaza’s Post-War Environmental Crisis: A Deep Dive into Ongoing Destruction

The environment in Gaza has faced severe damage due to ongoing conflict. As people return home after the ceasefire, the reality of this destruction is becoming more visible, prompting important discussions about how to rebuild amid significant environmental loss.

Water systems have been heavily disrupted. Many families are left relying on contaminated wells and unregulated water sources. Raw sewage now flows across farmland, polluting vital Mediterranean waters and underground reserves that are crucial for irrigation. Approximately two-thirds of Gaza’s farmland has been compromised by military actions, devastating both crops and livelihoods.

Recent satellite imagery displays a staggering loss: around 80% of Gaza’s trees are gone. Wetlands, coastal areas, and the Wadi Gaza river have also suffered greatly. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), soil quality has diminished severely due to the removal of vegetation, putting the region at risk of desertification.

“Nature is the silent victim of the war on Gaza,” says Saeed Bagheri, an international law lecturer. The call for international assessment of the environmental damage has intensified. Ahmed Hilles, a scientist leading an environmental think tank, emphasizes the urgent need for water rehabilitation, soil restoration, and support for agricultural lands.

Gaza is a small but rich biodiversity haven, extending 24 miles along the Mediterranean. It’s home to over 250 bird species and numerous mammals. However, with a population exceeding 2 million, the pressure on natural resources is immense. Before the conflict escalated, water extraction greatly outpaced natural replenishment, leading to drained aquifers and increased salinity due to seawater intrusion.

Before the war, the shallow aquifers provided essential drinking water. By 2023, 97% of this water was deemed unsafe, forcing residents to rely more on desalination and limited supplies from neighboring areas. Unfortunately, the conflict has caused significant reductions in these water supplies, with many facilities inoperable and some people forced to use potentially polluted water sources.

In addition to water issues, the war has resulted in widespread sewage problems. With treatment plants damaged and operations halted, raw sewage is spilling into both the land and sea, posing long-term environmental threats. Up to 3.5 million cubic feet of sewage could be contaminating underground water reserves daily, compounding the crisis.

Efforts to restore Gaza’s natural environment faced setbacks even before the war. In 2022, new sewage treatment plants had finally begun to improve coastal waters. However, heavy conflict has dismantled those advancements, returning the area to a crisis state.

The war has left around 40 million tons of rubble, creating hazardous waste sites while waste disposal systems have collapsed. This has increased pollution and health risks for the population. Military operations have resulted in significant environmental destruction, causing some international experts to argue that such actions violate the Geneva Convention, which prohibits damaging natural environments during wartime.

Before the conflict, over a third of Gaza’s land was cultivated. Now, experts suggest that two-thirds of farmland is severely damaged. Satellite analyses reveal that military activities have destroyed over 2,000 farms, which affects not just agricultural yields but also contributes to ecological instability.

Mainly, trees have been lost due to military actions and local residents cutting them down for firewood. Experts warn that the removal of trees affects soil quality, making it harder for future cultivation and raising risks of desertification.

Despite the challenges, wildlife has demonstrated resilience. Some species, including Arabian wolves, have been sighted in areas previously affected by human settlements. However, ongoing habitat destruction and pollution significantly threaten these natural populations.

The Wadi Gaza remains a critical ecological zone, hosting many migratory bird species. Efforts were being made to protect and restore this area, aiming to reduce pollution and improve its health. However, recent conflicts have brought these initiatives to a halt.

In the Al-Mawasi region, environmental decay has accelerated. Once a thriving area for wildlife, it is now heavily impacted by military actions. Satellite images indicate vast tree losses and environmental degradation from ongoing conflict.

Information on Gaza’s natural state is primarily gathered through remote imagery due to the dangers on the ground. With academic institutions damaged, established research efforts are at risk. One prominent biodiversity researcher shared his personal grief, having lost several family members in the conflict.