A Sustainable Restoration Plan for Gaza

Abstract

Purpose:  Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, innumerable discussions for resolving the conflict have emerged considering governance, security, equity and feasibility. Any discussion involving the aftermath of the fighting in this embattled area must also include a focus on sustainability.  The article highlights the primary environmental challenges associated with post-war ecological restoration.

Methodology: This article represents an historical analysis, reporting the results of a desk study, based on academic sources, reports of internation agencies, civil society and government data.

Findings: In recent decades, Gaza’s environment increasingly reflects the adverse impacts of mounting demographic density, resource exploitation, poor management and significant contamination. Degraded ground water quality, sewage contamination of coastal waters and debris from inadequate solid waste infrastructure, traditionally, have been the primary environmental hazards. The ongoing military conflict has only exacerbated these acute problems, adding additional risks from airborne particles from the massive damage sustained by local buildings, especially when structures contain asbestos. 

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The article offers a brief historic review of Gaza’s natural resources, the drivers of the acute environmental degradation and priority action items for a sustainable strategy for Gaza and its residents’ future.