Absolute destruction

In the wake of the recent Israeli attacks on the occupied Gaza Strip, a harrowing health crisis has unfolded, one that extends beyond the immediate human toll and delves into the realm of environmental catastrophe. The Palestine Environmental Quality Authority revealed on Thursday that a staggering 66% of Gaza’s population is now grappling with water-borne diseases, including cholera, chronic diarrhoea and intestinal disorders, all exacerbated by the scarcity of potable water and the shutdown of water desalination facilities.

The consequences of Israel’s relentless systematic bombardment are not confined to human suffering alone. The destruction of sewage systems in Gaza, a direct result of the horrendous genocide, has led to overflow and contamination. The current situation, deemed both a humanitarian and environmental crisis by the authority, demands urgent attention. The toll on Gaza’s environment is far-reaching. Israel’s military campaign has left nothing but destruction in its wake, claiming approximately 50,000 trees and causing extensive damage to farmland, nurseries and home gardens. This devastation has unleashed a domino effect, escalating desertification, undermining biodiversity and degrading soil quality. The consequences extend beyond land, impacting the atmosphere and exacerbating biodiversity loss. The genocide has triggered the accumulation of solid and medical waste, further amplifying carbon emissions and intensifying the deleterious effects of relentless military attacks.

As we bear witness to the human suffering, it is crucial to acknowledge the social and environmental impacts, which ultimately exacerbates human suffering. The unfolding catastrophe demands not just regional attention but a stringent global response to address the humanitarian, health and environmental fallout. The future of Gaza’s people and its environment hinges on concerted efforts to restore not just human well-being but also the delicate ecological balance that is currently sustaining the besieged enclave.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2024.

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