Mon Feb 10 10:21:30 UTC 2025: ## Gaza City Drowning in Rubbish Amidst Post-War Devastation

**Gaza City, February 10, 2025** – The return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza has revealed a catastrophic sanitation crisis, with mountains of rubbish creating severe health risks in Gaza City and surrounding areas. Residents describe a scene of devastation, where once-bustling streets are now choked with toxic waste, exacerbating the already dire conditions caused by the recent conflict.

According to Al Jazeera and aid agencies like UNICEF and WHO, the influx of over half a million Palestinians returning to their homes since late January has overwhelmed the already crippled infrastructure. The lack of running water, reliable power, and basic sanitation services has led to a rapid build-up of refuse, creating breeding grounds for disease and posing significant health threats, particularly near hospitals.

“The accumulation of waste near hospitals poses grave risks, mainly outbreaks of disease and epidemics,” warned Amin al-Alia, a nurse at Ahli Hospital. Residents echoed these concerns, describing the situation as “extremely dangerous” and transforming once-familiar areas into “scary…wastelands” rife with insects and stray animals.

The situation is further complicated by heavy rains and strong winds, which are spreading the rubbish and worsening living conditions. With many homes destroyed, some residents are resorting to dangerous practices such as building fires inside collapsed structures for warmth, leading to at least three documented fatalities, according to Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud.

UNICEF’s Tess Ingram described the shock and despair of returning families, whose hopes of finding their homes intact have been shattered. The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Hanan Balkhy called the suffering “beyond comprehension” and urged for accelerated aid operations and unimpeded access to essential supplies. The WHO stands ready to scale up its response but requires systematic and sustained access to the population across Gaza.

The reopening of the Netzarim Corridor, facilitating the return of displaced persons, has highlighted the urgent need for international intervention to address the sanitation crisis and the broader humanitarian needs in Gaza City and northern Gaza. The lack of essential services and the overwhelming amount of rubbish threaten to further destabilize the already fragile situation.

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