Report on the Humanitarian and Environmental Situation in the Gaza Strip – April 2025:

Prepared by: Gaza Culture and Development Group

• Introduction:

Since October 2023, the Gaza Strip has witnessed an unprecedented military escalation that has led to a complete deterioration in all aspects of life, turning the territory into a disaster zone by all humanitarian and environmental standards. Infrastructure has been systematically destroyed, and essential services such as water, electricity, sewage, and healthcare have collapsed amid a continued blockade and the prevention of vital humanitarian aid from entering. More than two million people in Gaza are living under catastrophic conditions. According to the United Nations, “Gaza has become uninhabitable” due to widespread destruction and the collapse of the health and environmental systems.

As military operations continue unabated, life in Gaza has become nearly impossible, with residents deprived of their most basic human rights. Oxfam has warned that “people in Gaza face a real risk of dying from thirst, hunger, and disease,” while UNICEF has stated that “one million children are at risk of death or permanent harm due to malnutrition, disease, and lack of care.” The international community's failure to act is a profound moral and humanitarian failure.

What is happening in Gaza is not a temporary crisis or a result of a passing conflict, but rather a sustained catastrophe that requires urgent and comprehensive action at all levels—humanitarian, legal, and political—to save lives, stop violations, and ensure justice.

1. Water and Sanitation Crisis:

• More than 80% of water and sanitation facilities have been partially or completely damaged.
• Available water has dropped to less than 5 liters per person per day.
• 88% of wells are contaminated or destroyed.
• Desalination and sewage treatment plants are operating inefficiently due to electricity outages and fuel shortages.

2. Waste Accumulation and Environmental Risks:

• Gaza produces around 2,000 tons of waste daily, with no effective mechanism for collection or safe disposal.
• Accumulated waste has led to the spread of epidemics, especially in displacement and refugee camps.
• Waste mixing with stagnant water has further polluted the environment and groundwater.

3. Massive Infrastructure Destruction:

• Over 60% of buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged.
• Roads, bridges, electricity, and telecommunications networks are largely destroyed.
• Humanitarian and medical teams face extreme difficulty reaching affected areas.

4. Debris Removal Challenges:

• Debris from destruction is estimated at 42 million tons.
• Unexploded ordnance remains buried in the rubble, posing a deadly threat to civilians and rescue teams.
• A severe lack of equipment and machinery means debris removal could take over a decade.

5. Humanitarian and Living Conditions:

• More than 50,500 people have been killed, and over 115,000 injured.
• Over 1.9 million people have been internally displaced.
• Thousands of families are living in tents or damaged buildings without water or electricity.
• Severe shortages of food and medicine put the population at risk of famine and disease.

6. Education Situation:

• More than 450 schools have been completely or partially destroyed.
• Education has been halted for nearly 700,000 students, including more than 300,000 primary school-aged children.
• Undamaged schools have been converted into shelters, making the resumption of classes currently impossible.
• Children suffer from acute psychological trauma due to loss, displacement, and ongoing fear, requiring urgent psychosocial and educational support.

7. Healthcare System:

• Over 21 medical facilities have ceased operations.
• There is an acute shortage of medicines, equipment, and surgical supplies.
• The remaining hospitals operate far beyond their capacity, unable to cope with the massive number of casualties.
• Power outages and fuel shortages have severely affected operating rooms and intensive care units.
• Respiratory infections, diarrhea, and acute malnutrition are widespread among children.

8. Economic Collapse and Unemployment:

• Destruction of economic and industrial facilities has led to near-total shutdown of commerce.
• Unemployment has soared above 75%, especially among youth and graduates.
• Thousands of families have lost their sources of income, with over 80% of the population relying on humanitarian aid.
• Local markets are suffering from severe shortages of goods and record price inflation.

9. Spread of Deadly Diseases:

• Cholera has broken out in some displacement areas, alongside hepatitis, skin diseases, and respiratory infections.
• Lack of clean water and proper hygiene has accelerated the spread of infections, especially among children.
• The absence of vaccines and essential medicines has worsened the overall health crisis.

Conclusion:

The Gaza Strip is facing an unprecedented humanitarian and environmental catastrophe that demands urgent international intervention. As this crisis continues, it poses a direct threat to the lives of millions. There is an urgent need for concerted efforts to stop hostilities, allow humanitarian aid to enter, pave the way for comprehensive and safe reconstruction, and always ensure the protection of civilian populations.