Bodies pile up in northern Gaza’s streets as fears rise of ‘environmental catastrophe’ 

A “serious environmental catastrophe” awaits Gaza as a result of the accumulation of bodies of Palestinians killed by Israel in the north of the Strip, a medical organisation warned yesterday.

In a statement, Director of the Medical Relief Organisation in Gaza, Mohammed Abu Afash, said that large numbers of bodies remain in the streets and cannot be retrieved, adding that “stray dogs and cats are feeding on the piled-up corpses, posing a significant environmental hazard.”

Highlighting the severe shortage of medical staff and supplies, Abu Afash noted the absence of surgeons to perform critical operations on the wounded. This shortage stems from the repeated targeting of hospitals and medical teams by the Israeli occupation army, which has also prevented doctors from accessing northern Gaza.

He explained that while the World Health Organisation (WHO) was able to deliver a small amount of fuel and medical supplies to Kamal Adwan Hospital, only six injured individuals were transferred from the medical centre in Beit Lahia to Gaza City.

The healthcare system in Gaza, particularly in the northern areas, faces a catastrophic collapse. Israeli attacks have left most hospitals out of service, while the ongoing blockade has stopped the entry of medicines and health supplies and prevented patients and the injured from leaving the Strip for treatment.

The United Nations has warned that Israel stopped all aid deliveries to north Gaza in November and has tightened its siege on the area for more than 66 days. Some 400,000 civilians are thought to be trapped in the area facing famine conditions.

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