Due to the destruction of infrastructure in much of Gaza, wastewater and garbage piles in populated areas continue to pose a hazard, while municipalities are unable to remove garbage piles and treat wastewater due to fuel shortages.
Finally, the Gaza Ministry of Health announced on July 18 that polio virus was detected in wastewater samples taken in coordination with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and that thousands of people are at risk of contracting polio.
People’s Experiences
- Tamir Gaben:“The situation in schools is very bad. There is no food, no drink. Children are playing near garbage dumps. Even if they do not die in the attacks, they will catch the virus and die from illness.”
- Zaim ez-Zaim:“We live in a place surrounded by sewage ponds full of viruses and diseases. There is no other option.”
- Adham an-Namr:“We got sick because of wastewater and garbage. Now we are in danger of polio.”
Dr. Sahir Nasr’s Assessment
Dr. Sahir Nasr said that many people who have contracted diseases caused by wastewater have applied to the hospital in northern Gaza. He said that there has been an increase in skin diseases, bacterial and fungal diseases, and that this situation is due to low immunity and inadequate sanitation.
Infrastructure Problems and Environmental Disaster
Gaza Municipalities Union Coordinator Husni Muhenna stated that Israel has destroyed infrastructure, causing wastewater to spill into the environment and reducing the service capacity of municipalities. He emphasized that Gaza is facing a real crisis, drawing attention to the fact that the necessary services are not being provided.
