Over 250,000 tons of uncollected garbage have piled up across Gaza City, creating severe health and environmental risks for residents. City officials say the crisis has become an “environmental and health catastrophe,” exacerbated by water shortages and leaks from damaged sewage networks. The accumulation comes after two years of Israeli military operations, which destroyed more than 85% of the city’s waste-collection equipment, leaving authorities unable to process or remove debris.

Municipal teams are barred from reaching the main landfill in Juhor al-Dik due to Israeli restrictions, preventing proper disposal and compounding the threat to public health. The mounting refuse has led to surges in rodents and insects, while untreated sewage now leaks into streets, heightening the risk of disease outbreaks.

Authorities are calling for urgent international assistance, including fuel, equipment, and safe access to restricted areas. With nearly 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure destroyed and damages estimated at $70 billion, residents continue to endure a dire humanitarian situation, where even basic sanitation and public services remain unattainable.