Flooded with sewage: An environmental disaster threatening life in Gaza

Under the weight of the siege and starvation imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip, Palestinians are facing a severe environmental disaster, with some streets submerged in sewage water.

The crisis has worsened due to the shutdown of pumping stations caused by Israel closing the crossings, halting fuel supplies, and cutting off electricity, threatening the health of residents and warning of a possible epidemic outbreak.

With the completion of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel in early March, Tel Aviv has again closed all crossings into Gaza to prevent the entry of humanitarian aid.

Critics have warned this move is intended to use starvation as a pressure tool on Hamas to force it to accept Israel’s demands.

The closure of the crossings and Israel’s decision to cut off the already scarce electricity supply to Gaza has caused water and sewage treatment plants to stop working, further complicating the humanitarian situation.

Spread of diseases

Gaza Municipality spokesperson Hosni Mahna warned of the worsening situation, especially with dangerous environmental floods in low-lying areas and fears of the spread of epidemics and diseases.

“Israel’s targeting of sewage stations, rainwater collection ponds, and main transport lines, alongside the fuel shortage required to operate generators, has led to a real disaster in the city,” said Mahna.

“The situation is now out of control, and sewage is flooding the streets of a city already suffering from the effects of war,” he added.

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Mahna also warned that this crisis “threatens the spread of diseases in unprecedented ways, especially in densely populated neighbourhoods, along with the spread of foul odours, insects, and rodents.”

During its genocidal bombing campaign in the enclave, the Israeli occupation army destroyed approximately 175,000 metres (574,147 feet) of sewage networks in the Gaza Strip, according to the spokesperson.

The government’s media office also said Israel has destroyed about 88 per cent of Gaza’s infrastructure, including homes, vital facilities and services.

Environmental disaster

In light of this difficult situation, Mahna called for “international intervention to prevent the potential drowning in sewage water and its dangerous health repercussions, which may directly affect the population and the underground water reservoir, through the provision of necessary equipment for maintenance operations.”

Mohamed Barakat, a citizen who lives with his family near the Sheikh Radwan Pond designated for collecting rainwater north of Gaza City, described how the mixing of sewage water with rainwater “has turned the area into a breeding ground for diseases and health risks, making life there unbearable with continuous flooding and deteriorating living conditions.”

“The scene is heartbreaking, we are living in the midst of this sewage water,” he said, warning of “unforeseen health risks if the situation continues.”

Mahna said: “The occupation targeted the Sheikh Radwan Pond multiple times during the war, causing significant damage to its operating system. The lack of fuel has worsened the crisis, leading to the mixing of rainwater with sewage.”

Mahna warned that “the fall of rain in the coming periods may cause the sewage water to overflow, which could lead to collapse in the buildings surrounding the pond, drowning the area in sewage.”

“The leakage of this water into the underground reservoir will lead to severe contamination of drinking water in the Strip, posing a direct threat to public health and greatly exacerbating the environmental and humanitarian crisis,” he added.