39 Million Tons of Waste Accumulated in Gaza

(Patria) - The UN Environment Program (UNEP) has released a report highlighting the profound impact of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

The report estimates that around 39 million tons of waste have been generated since the beginning of the conflict.

More precisely, there are over 107 kilograms of debris per square meter in the Gaza Strip, which is five times the amount of waste generated during the conflict in Mosul, Iraq, in 2017.

The escalation of the conflict since October 7, 2023, has clearly had a profound impact on people and the environment in Gaza, the report states, adding that intensive Israeli bombing has led to an unprecedented level of destruction.

A new @UNEP assessment shows the environmental impacts of the war in Gaza are unprecedented. Water, soil and air pollution is rapidly growing, risking human health and food insecurity.

We urgently need a ceasefire to save lives & restore the environment.https://t.co/QE2Z7C2Hju pic.twitter.com/E9G0p0hKQK

— Inger Andersen (@andersen_inger) June 18, 2024

It also states that the community in Gaza has been exposed to risks from soil, water, and air pollution, causing irreparable damage to natural ecosystems.

The report calls for an immediate ceasefire to protect lives and mitigate long-term environmental effects.