The Israeli army is reportedly disposing of construction waste into the Gaza Strip, despite warnings that the area is already overwhelmed with over 61 million tonnes of debris. A Haaretz investigation revealed footage of trucks unloading rubble in Gaza, including waste from military operations during an ongoing conflict.
Israeli officers disclosed that the decision to dump waste was made by field commanders, allowing private Israeli companies to dispose of their garbage at will. Some soldiers expressed concern over this practice, questioning its logic and potential impact on local communities.
The UN Environment Programme has warned that much of the debris poses contamination risks due to potential asbestos, industrial waste, and heavy metals. The situation has been exacerbated by the destruction of approximately 250,000 buildings during the conflict, with a significant amount of debris generated in recent months.
UNEP’s executive director emphasized the urgent need to address human suffering in Gaza and restore essential services, warning that ongoing environmental destruction could have long-lasting effects on the health of future generations.
