Gaza Strip - Recent

Living conditions in the embattled enclave of Gaza continue to worsen as disposal of garbage and sewage has ground to a halt as the conflict rages on.

In central Gaza's Deir al-Balah, local authorities are unable to transport garbage and treat wastewater from a refugee camp here due to the lack of facilities, vehicles and fuels.

Since this round of conflict broke out in October last year, an estimated 39 million tonnes of debris have been generated in the Gaza Strip, over 107 kilogram per square meter, according to a report released by the United Nations Environment Program in June.

The debris, mixed with dust and unexploded ammunition, has polluted the environment in Gaza, posing a serious threat to people’s health.

Shotlist:
Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip - Recent:
1. Various of garbage, sewage near camp of displaced people;
Gaza Strip - Recent
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Khalil Al-Daqran, spokesman, Gaza's health ministry (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"Diseases like hepatitis are spreading among the people due to environmental pollution and huge amount of garbage and sewage. More than 100,000 people in the Gaza Strip have been infected with hepatitis A, and the incidence rate of skin diseases has also increased sharply among children.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip - Recent
3. Various of garbage, wastewater;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Moayad Al-Maghari, displaced person (partially overlaid with shot 5):
"I have been infected with hepatitis as the sanitary conditions are terrible here with a lack of attention from outside. We use a public toilet at the refugee camp. All families share only one toilet, and we have to wait in a long line. Usually there is no time for a thorough cleaning before you enter the toilet.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
5. Various of garbage;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
6. Various of garbage, traffic;
Gaza Strip - Recent
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ali Al-Habbash, health and environment official in Gaza:
"The Israeli forces launched strikes at open areas and major streets where our underground water pipelines and sewage pipes are located. The attacks have mixed water supplies and sewage in the main pipelines. The toxic smoke from burning garbage and gas from exploded bombs launched by Israeli troops at the people have also caused air pollution. And there's also soil pollution. The piling-up of garbage and the metal penetration will change the soil structure, make the soil unsuitable for farming, and affect the growth of crops.”;
8. Various of damaged buildings, smoke.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]