After more than 20 months of continuous Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are living in catastrophic health and environmental conditions. Waste is piling up in the streets, along the beaches, and between the tents of displaced families and shelter centers—an alarming scene that reflects the collapse of infrastructure and the absence of basic services. This poses a direct threat to public health and exacerbates the daily suffering of the population, especially amid overcrowded displacement camps, limited access to clean water, and the absence of proper sanitation services, all of which foreshadow an imminent health and environmental disaster.
Despite the challenges of war, the Arab International Commission for Reconstruction in Palestine (AIOCP) continues to contribute to providing clean drinking water and supporting the collection and transport of solid waste, in coordination with civil partners and government entities, as part of its commitment to improving environmental and public health conditions. However, the grim reality—and the nearly two million tons of accumulated waste, according to a study conducted by the Commission—requires urgent intervention from all parties, particularly as municipalities are largely incapacitated and lack the necessary resources and equipment.
Furthermore, Sanad News Verification Agency, affiliated with Al Jazeera Media Network, has identified dozens of random waste accumulation points in populated areas, near camps, and along the coast. The findings were based on an analysis of satellite imagery up to 15 April 2025. The analysis revealed 42 major and medium-sized waste sites across the governorates of the Strip, while smaller sites could not be counted, suggesting the actual number is significantly higher.
