Palestinians warn of health, environment crisis as garbage piles up in Gaza City
Palestinian authorities warned of a growing health and environmental crisis in Gaza City, with 170,000 tons of garbage accumulating due to Israeli restrictions and the destruction of municipal machinery. The city is struggling to manage waste amid ongoing devastation from Israel's offensive.
- Middle East
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 04:41 | 24 February 2025
Palestinian authorities warned of a health and environmental crisis in Gaza City on Monday as mountains of garbage were piling up amid Israeli restrictions.
"Gaza City is facing a major health and environmental disaster due to the accumulation of about 170,000 tons of garbage in the streets and temporary landfills," Gaza Municipality said in a statement.
It accused Israel of preventing municipal teams from reaching the main landfill east of the city following the destruction of 80% of the municipality's machinery in Israeli bombardment.
The municipal authority explained that waste was being transferred by its teams from streets and residential areas to temporary landfills inside the city.
The Gaza Strip has been reduced to a wasteland of wrecked buildings and piles of rubble by Israel's brutal offensive that has killed more than 48,300 people, mostly women and children, since October 2023.
The Israeli war was brought to a halt under a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in Gaza on Jan. 19.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
- UAE plans to invest $40 billion in Italy
- UN chief voices 'grave' concern over rising violence in occupied West Bank, calls for annexation
- Israel informs US it is no longer committed to Biden-backed Gaza ceasefire plan: Report
- Israel denies entry to EU parliament member over support for Palestinians
- Gaza death toll nears 48,350 as more bodies found in rubble