Gaza is facing a severe crisis in waste collection and disposal

The Gaza Municipality confirmed that it is facing a waste collection and removal crisis due to the Israeli occupation’s prevention of sufficient fuel from entering Gaza to operate its vehicles.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, the municipality said: “We are facing a severe crisis in continuing to provide solid waste collection and removal services as a result of the critical shortage of fuel available to operate our vehicles.”

It indicated that “some waste collection vehicles are scheduled to stop operating starting today, Saturday, which will directly affect the municipality’s ability to remove waste from the city’s streets.”

The municipality confirmed the accumulation of more than 350,000 cubic meters of waste in the city’s streets and temporary dumps, as municipal crews are prevented from accessing the landfill in the Hajar al-Dik area, east of the city.

It pointed out that this dangerous situation is exacerbating health and environmental crises, as these accumulations create a breeding ground for infectious diseases.

The municipality appealed to the international community and humanitarian and relief organizations to intervene urgently to provide the necessary fuel to operate the waste collection vehicles and to allow municipal crews safe access to the landfill in the Hajar al-Dik area.