Rights group slams ‘escalating sanitation catastrophe’ in Gaza
The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, in a statement to mark World Toilet Day, condemned Israel for its deliberate destruction of water and sanitation services in Gaza.
The Palestinian group said the sanitation crisis was particularly dire for displaced Palestinians in the so-called humanitarian zones in Deir el-Balah, az-Zawayda and al-Mawasi. These zones are “neither safe nor humane”, it said. Israel’s attacks and policies have turned the designated zones into “unsanitary areas, where sewage floods streets, roads, and tents housing” displaced people, it said.
As of September this year, Israeli forces have destroyed or damaged nearly all of Gaza’s 87 sewage treatment facilities as well as up to 100km (124 miles) of sewage pipelines. The crisis has been deepened due to severe fuel shortages needed to operate pumps and treatment plants, it said.
“This dire reality has led to the rapid spread of diseases, including skin infections, respiratory illnesses, and documented cases of polio and meningitis,” Al Mezan said. “Those who survive Israel’s relentless bombings are left to endure disease, starvation, or untreated illness, with little hope of relief.”
COP29: Palestinian delegation warns against environmental impacts of war
The Palestinian delegation at COP29 has warned against the climate impacts of the Israeli war on Gaza.
In a speech during the high-level session, Palestinian chairperson for the Environmental Quality Authority, Nisreen Tamimi, said protection of the environment is a basic right, which was being made more difficult by the Israeli war in the besieged coastal enclave.
She also said the war had polluted water sources and spread rubble filled with dangerous material. Tamimi added that the rebuilding efforts would release an estimated 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
