Pollution poses threat to Gaza environment, amid exhausted natural resources

The Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees in the Gaza Strip organized an inspection tour of sewage and solid waste recycling projects on the occasion of World Environment Day.

The tour also included a visit to agricultural projects and the nature reserve in Strip. The environmental conditions in Gaza are alarming due to the overall air, water and soil pollution.

Wars on the strip and the use of large amounts of explosives also had a devastating effect, deepening the pollution and increasing the spread of diseases like cancer.

Farmers also said chemicals used to treat contaminated soil and could transmit to vegetables and crops are toxic to humans and can have both acute and chronic health effects.

Palestinian agriculture and environmental expert Nizar al-Wahidi spoke to A24 News Agency reporter Mohammed Al-Najjar about the dire situation, warning that severe pollution in Gaza will lead to an environmental disaster unless measures are taken to avert the crisis.

World Environment 2022 is celebrated on June 5 of each year with the aim of marking the importance of nature and raising awareness for its protection.