Citation

London L, Watterson A, Mergler D, Albin M, Andrade-Rivas F, Ciaula AD, Comba P, Giannasi F, Habib RR, Hay A, Hoppin J, Infante P, Jeebhay M, Kelsey K, Kim R, Lemen R, Lipscomb H, Lynge E, Magnani C, Monforton C, Nemery B, Ngowi V, Nowak D, Nuwayhid I, Oliver C, Ozonoff D, Paek D, Petrosyan V, Portier CJ, Ritz B, Rosenstock L, Ruff K, Sly P, Soffritti M, Soskolne CL, Suk W, Terracini B, Vainio HU, Vineis P, White R. Environ. Health 2024; 23(1): e59.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/s12940-024-01097-9

PMID

38943149

Abstract

An under-recognised aspect of the current humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is the impact of the war on the environment and the associated risks for human health. This commentary contextualises these impacts against the background of human suffering produced by the overwhelming violence associated with the use of military force against the general population of Gaza. In calling for an immediate cessation to the violence, the authors draw attention to the urgent need to rebuild the health care system and restore the physical and human infrastructure that makes a liveable environment possible and promotes human health and well-being, especially for the most vulnerable in the population. Environmental remediation should therefore form one of the most important parts of international efforts to assist reconstruction, through which we hope Palestinians and Israelis will achieve lasting peace, health, and sustainable development, all as part of accepted international human rights obligations.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; *Public Health; War; Middle East; Environmental Health; Environmental impacts; Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Gaza; Remediation; Violence/statistics & numerical data