Gaza City is facing an unprecedented humanitarian and environmental crisis, with nearly 260,000 tons of accumulated waste and essential services on the brink of collapse amid ongoing Israeli bombardment.
اضافة اعلان
Assem Al-Nabeh, spokesperson for the Gaza Municipality, described the situation as “extremely difficult and tragic,” highlighting the near-total breakdown of basic services including water, sanitation, and waste collection due to the continued attacks on the city.
Al-Nabeh explained that the municipal infrastructure, particularly in the water and sewage sectors, has been extensively damaged, while resources remain severely limited. There is a shortage of materials, spare parts, and heavy machinery, which hampers emergency response efforts.
“The city is facing a severe health and environmental disaster,” he said. “The accumulation of over 260,000 tons of waste poses an immediate threat to residents and raises the risk of epidemics.”
Regarding water services, Al-Nabeh noted that the municipality is striving to supply water, but quantities reaching residents remain minimal. Some local wells and water lines are being operated and repaired, but field conditions remain extremely challenging.
Municipal teams have endured exhaustion, displacement, famine, and difficult security conditions. Many employees, including workers and engineers, have been working for nearly two years without salaries or leave since the beginning of the conflict.
Al-Nabeh emphasized ongoing coordination with international organizations, noting that needs assessments and reports are continuously submitted, but interventions so far remain limited and insufficient to address the scale of the crisis.
“Despite the catastrophe, we continue providing essential services because we have no alternative,” he said. “The Gaza Municipality operates under extraordinary conditions and strives to alleviate the suffering of people that has persisted for more than 23 months.”
—Al-Mamlaka
