GAZA CITY, Palestine 

Under the weight of the siege and starvation imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip, Palestinians are facing a severe environmental disaster, with some streets submerged in sewage water.

The crisis has worsened due to the shutdown of pumping stations caused by Israel closing the crossings, halting fuel supplies, and cutting off electricity, threatening the health of residents and warning of a possible epidemic outbreak.

With the completion of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel in early March, Tel Aviv has again closed all crossings into Gaza to prevent the entry of humanitarian aid.

This move is intended to use starvation as a pressure tool on Hamas to force it to accept Israel's demands.

The closure of the crossings and Israel's decision to cut off the already scarce electricity supply to Gaza has caused the water and sewage treatment plants to stop working, further complicating the humanitarian situation.   

Spread of diseases

Gaza Municipality spokesperson Hosni Mahna warned in an interview with Anadolu of the worsening situation, especially with dangerous environmental floods in low-lying areas and fears of the spread of epidemics and diseases.

“Israel's targeting of sewage stations, rainwater collection ponds, and main transport lines, alongside the fuel shortage required to operate generators, has led to a real disaster in the city,” said Mahna.

“The situation is now out of control, and sewage is flooding the streets of a city already suffering from the effects of war,” he added.

Mahna also warned that this crisis "threatens the spread of diseases in unprecedented ways, especially in densely populated neighborhoods, along with the spread of foul odors, insects, and rodents."

In a contradictory move with undisclosed objectives, Israel decided on March 2 to stop supplying Gaza with its already minimal electricity supply, despite having cut electricity to the area since the genocidal war committed by its army against the Palestinians on Oct. 7, 2023.

During the war, the Israeli army destroyed approximately 175,000 meters (574,147 feet) of sewage networks in the Gaza Strip, according to the spokesperson.

The government’s media office also said Israel has destroyed about 88% of Gaza's infrastructure, including homes, vital facilities, and services.   

Environmental disaster

In light of this difficult situation, Mahna called for "international intervention to prevent the potential drowning in sewage water and its dangerous health repercussions, which may directly affect the population and the underground water reservoir, through the provision of necessary equipment for maintenance operations."

On Oct. 7, 2024, the Energy and Natural Resources Authority stated that over 68% of the medium- and low-voltage transmission networks had been severely damaged.

It pointed out that the genocidal war resulted in damage to around 830 kilometers (515 miles) of medium and transmission networks and about 2,700 kilometers (1,677 miles) of low-voltage networks, along with the destruction of more than 2,105 electrical transformers.  

‘Heartbreaking scene’

Mohamed Barakat, a citizen who lives with his family near the Sheikh Radwan Pond designated for collecting rainwater north of Gaza City, described the daily suffering faced by people due to the catastrophic environmental and health conditions.

He confirmed: "The mixing of sewage water with rainwater has turned the area into a breeding ground for diseases and health risks, making life there unbearable with continuous flooding and deteriorating living conditions."

Barakat told Anadolu: "The scene is heartbreaking, we are living in the midst of this sewage water," warning of "unforeseen health risks if the situation continues."

The Sheikh Radwan Pond is typically used to collect rainwater but was severely damaged during the genocidal war due to Israeli bombardment, causing sewage water to leak into it, turning it into an environmental and health hazard.

Mahna said: “The occupation targeted the Sheikh Radwan Pond multiple times during the war, causing significant damage to its operating system. The lack of fuel has worsened the crisis, leading to the mixing of rainwater with sewage."

Mahna warned that "the fall of rain in the coming periods may cause the sewage water to overflow, which could lead to collapses in the buildings surrounding the pond, drowning the area in sewage."

"The leakage of this water into the underground reservoir will lead to severe contamination of drinking water in the strip, posing a direct threat to public health and greatly exacerbating the environmental and humanitarian crisis," he added.

A ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, which took hold in January, has halted Israel’s genocidal onslaught on Gaza, which has killed more than 48,500 victims, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.