Gaza Faces an Environmental and Health Catastrophe Due to Toxic War Debris
Asbestos contamination and unexploded ordnance pose long-term health risks and hinder reconstruction efforts in the besieged Strip.
Watan-Gaza is facing an unprecedented environmental and health disaster due to the widespread contamination of rubble in the Strip with the toxic substance “asbestos,” raising serious concerns about its long-term impact on public health.
UN reports have confirmed that the debris left by the war contains hundreds of thousands of tons of this carcinogenic material, making the process of rubble removal more complex and costly.
The amount of rubble in Gaza is estimated to exceed 50 million tons, with projections indicating that its removal could take no less than 21 years at a cost exceeding $1.2 billion. Asbestos is one of the most hazardous materials used in construction, found in roofing sheets, water pipes, and parts of vehicles. However, it poses a direct health threat due to its microscopic fibers, which can cause fatal respiratory diseases and cancer, particularly in individuals exposed to it over long periods.
Respiratory disease specialist Nasser Dabboul confirmed that workers and residents returning to their destroyed homes are at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers, which could lead to severe illnesses such as lung fibrosis and pleural cancer. The World Health Organization has also warned that exposure to this material can result in health damage that may not appear until years or even decades after the initial exposure.
In addition to these dangers, Gaza faces further challenges related to military remnants left behind by the occupation army, including unexploded ordnance still scattered among the rubble. Field reports have revealed cases of severe injuries among residents who unknowingly handled explosive remnants, mistaking them for canned food. Some tin cans were found to contain explosive fuses used by the occupation to destroy buildings and tunnels.
The worsening of this crisis complicates reconstruction efforts and threatens to cause a long-term health disaster in the besieged Strip. Given this reality, environmental experts and international organizations are calling for an urgent plan to safely remove the rubble, prevent further risks to residents, and secure the necessary resources to address this escalating environmental and health challenge.
