COP29: World leaders urged to address Gaza’s rubble crisis & millions of tons of toxic waste

During the COP29 conference in Azerbaijan, the chairwoman of the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority issued a warning to world leaders, urging immediate action to stop Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and address the coastal enclave’s collapsing environment. Nisreen Tamimi highlighted how Israel’s war has not only killed over 43,000 Palestinians but also turned much of the Gaza Strip into rubble. She stated that Israel’s destruction has resulted in 43 million tons of rubble, contaminated with hazardous materials, heavy metals, and toxic pollutants. She also highlighted the collapse of Gaza’s critical infrastructure: 90% of drinking water sources are now contaminated, and the sewage system has completely failed, leading to the spread of infectious diseases.