Gaza faces environmental and humanitarian crisis as Israeli attacks leave 68 million tons of rubble

Palestinian authorities have warned of a deepening environmental and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip reporting that Israeli military attacks have generated up to 68 million tons of rubble and severely damaged agricultural land, water supplies and sanitation systems.

Palestinian authorities have warned of a deepening environmental and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip reporting that Israeli military attacks have generated up to 68 million tons of rubble and severely damaged agricultural land, water supplies and sanitation systems.

The Palestinian Environment Quality Authority issued the warning on Friday in a statement marking the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict observed annually on November 6.

According to the authority between 61 million and 68 million tons of debris have accumulated across Gaza following widespread destruction. The rubble includes approximately four million tons of hazardous waste and at least 50,000 tons of asbestos a dangerous material associated with serious health risks.

The authority said the destruction has also affected Gaza’s natural resources and essential infrastructure. Around 82% of agricultural land and 97% of olive and other fruit trees have been destroyed, while 84% of water supply and sewage infrastructure has suffered damage.

The collapse of sanitation facilities has created additional public health concerns. Approximately 120,000 cubic metres (31.7 million gallons) of untreated wastewater are being discharged into streets and water basins across the territory every day according to the statement.

The war, which began in October 2023, has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and injured over 175,000 others, while leaving extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.

760 environmental attacks reported in West Bank

The Palestinian authority also documented 760 Israeli environmental attacks across the occupied West Bank between January and September 2026 affecting farmland forests, water resources and related infrastructure.

Of these incidents, 203 involved agricultural areas and nature reserves, including the destruction of olive groves the construction of settlement roads and the seizure of Palestinian land for military and settlement-related activities.

Another 178 attacks targeted forests and vegetation. The authority reported that thousands of trees had been uprooted, including approximately 100,000 olive trees causing estimated financial losses of $67 million.

Its records also included 185 incidents involving waste and hazardous debris from demolished buildings, 52 attacks affecting livestock and food security 37 targeting water sources and wells 35 damaging water pipelines and irrigation networks and five involving sewage systems.

The authority urged the international community to intervene to stop these violations and ensure Palestinians can protect and manage their natural resources.

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations and settler violence in the occupied West Bank have intensified since the beginning of the Gaza war. Reported incidents include killings, arrests demolitions, destruction of property, land clearance, forced displacement and continued settlement expansion.