The report documented significant destruction in Gaza as a result of Israel's military attacks.
However, "the environmental situation in the Gaza Strip was already serious prior to these events, due to underinvestment in environmental systems, lack of progress on priority environmental projects and the collapse of governance mechanisms."
It found that "Operation Cast Lead" caused further degradation of Gaza's environmental conditions and infrastructure. It cited as two of the most striking examples, "the significant volume of demolition debris that was generated and the serious damage done to the sewage system." It goes on:
Other adverse environmental impacts include the widespread destruction of agricultural areas, damage to smaller industrial enterprises and an increase in pollution discharged into the Mediterranean and into the groundwater.It shares a United Nations (UN) damage assessment that was carried out using satellite imagery. They estimated that 2,692 buildings and 180 greenhouses were destroyed or severely damaged during the hostilities and 167 kilometres of roads were damaged.
The satellite images showed 220 impact craters on roads and bridges and more than 700 craters on open or agricultural land. Utilities infrastructure in energy (fuel and electricity), transportation and telecommunications also sustained severe damage during the crisis. Water supplies were affected by damage to water wells and drinking water pipes, as were wastewater systems, leaving the quality of water in Gaza a "critical" concern.
It estimated the costs of environmental damage directly linked to the escalation of
hostilities in December 2008 and January 2009 to be $44 billion. Costs include the removal and safe disposal of rubble and asbestos, restoring the solid waste management system, and restoring the water systems.
There is little sign of improvement since the cessation of Israel's invasion: "In addition to the environmental impacts of the recent escalation of violence, the population of the Gaza Strip suffers from environmental pollution and natural resource depletion related to the ongoing political situation and associated problems."
