Over 2 million people in Gaza are living amid mountains of waste following the destruction caused by two years of war. The garbage collection ceased when the conflict began but is now being resumed, albeit slowly. Huge portions of the Palestinian territory were destroyed during the fighting, leaving behind 2 million tons of untreated waste scattered across Gaza.

Access to former landfills remains restricted due to partial military occupation by Israel. As these conditions persist, the urgency to address the waste management crisis becomes more pressing. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other UN agencies have begun efforts to clear the heaps of garbage, with particular focus on the area around the Firas Market where a Palestinian boy was recently seen searching for reusable items among the debris.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis, compounded by inadequate waste management, poses severe health risks for the inhabitants of Gaza. The situation not only reflects the physical devastation brought on by the conflict but also highlights the immediate challenges faced by aid organizations attempting to manage the dire conditions on the ground, as they navigate the complexities imposed by ongoing political and military tensions.