By: George Kurzom

https://www.maan-ctr.org/magazine/article/4364/

Palestinian workers at a brick factory east of Gaza city, make concrete bricks from the rubble of recycled buildings to be used to rebuild buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in 2021

Exclusive to Environment and Development Horizons (Afaq magazine):

The Israeli military aggression on the Gaza Strip resulted in significant amounts of debris, including unexploded ordnance and hazardous materials.  The vast quantity of debris in a limited space poses major logistical challenges. According to UN environmental experts, there are approximately 39 million tons of debris in the densely populated area (as of early June), equivalent to 107 kilograms of debris per square meter in the Strip. Clearing away this huge amount of rubble is a very complex challenge, but not impossible.

The United Nations estimates that clearing all the rubble and unexploded bombs could require about 14 years. This process involves extensive efforts, including the use of heavy equipment and specialized personnel.  This timeline is further complicated by the presence of thousands of tons of unexploded ordnance scattered throughout the Strip, which must be safely removed before debris removal can begin.

The debris in the Strip is far from ordinary construction waste, as a significant portion contains hazardous materials such as military and radioactive waste, alongside hundreds of thousands of tons of toxic asbestos and other harmful pollutants. Debris may also contain heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other persistent organic pollutants.

Specialized equipment and expertise are needed to safely sort, transport and handle debris. This includes the use of radiation detectors, asbestos testing kits, and advanced crushing and recycling machines. It is also necessary to establish temporary storage facilities and decontamination sites to ensure the safe handling of hazardous materials.

What complicates the matter is the presence of thousands of tons of unexploded ordnance scattered throughout the Strip, which must be safely cleared before removal of the debris can begin. Coordinating the efforts of various stakeholders, including local authorities, international organizations and non-governmental organizations, is crucial for efficient debris management. Establishing clear protocols for collecting, transporting and disposing of debris is essential to ensure the safety of workers and surrounding communities.

Overall, the debris consists of various materials, including rubble from destroyed buildings, unexploded ordnance, and hazardous waste. The presence of military and radioactive waste, toxic asbestos and other contaminants increases the complexity of treatment. Of course, before debris removal or recycling efforts begin, it is necessary to conduct comprehensive risk assessments, meaning experts must identify and evaluate the potential risks associated with different types of debris. Here comes the importance of safety protocols to protect workers and local residents.

While some debris materials may be suitable for recycling or reuse, others may need proper disposal. For instance, crushed concrete and bricks can be reused for road construction or as aggregate materials. Metal debris can also be recycled, which contributes to saving costs and conserving resources. Plastic, glass and other materials from the debris can be separated and recycled thus reducing landfill waste and promoting sustainability.

When it comes to hazardous asbestos, it is crucial to manage it carefully and dispose of it according to established regulations. Should there be any radioactive materials found, specific procedures must be followed for their safe handling and disposal.

The challenge of addressing the debris in the Gaza Strip is significant, requiring long-term commitment, technical expertise, and financial resources. Efforts to clear debris, treat hazardous materials, and promote sustainable practices are critical to ensuring the restoration of life, environmental infrastructure, and a safer future in the Gaza Strip.

Managing debris poses considerable financial difficulties, and the expenses associated with removal, treatment, and recycling are substantial. Establishing recycling facilities and transportation networks requires significant investments. International and Arab aid and cooperation are crucial to financing and supporting these efforts. Here comes the importance of cooperation between governments, non-governmental and international organizations to address this humanitarian and environmental crisis.

The United Nations, donor countries and NGOs play a crucial role in providing financial assistance. Funding should include debris removal, safety measures, and long-term rehabilitation. 

The funding dilemma specifically lies in the fact that the extent of the international community’s willingness to provide aid to the Gaza Strip has historically been inconsistent, and is often subject to political considerations and conditions.

In any case, coordinating the efforts of various stakeholders, including local authorities, international organizations and NGOs, is crucial for efficient debris management.  Establishing clear protocols for collecting, transporting and disposing of debris is essential to ensure the safety of workers and surrounding communities. It must be noted that the lack of a central debris management system and the fragmentation of responsibilities among different agencies can hamper the effectiveness of clean-up efforts.

Risk Assessment:

The debris in some locations is expected to contain radioactive materials that pose a major threat to human health and the environment. Detecting and characterizing radioactive isotopes requires specialized equipment and expertise. Of course, the cost of treating and disposing of radioactive waste is significant.

Asbestos-containing materials are also common in construction debris. Toxic asbestos fibers may cause serious respiratory diseases, including lung cancer. Proper handling, removal and disposal of asbestos is essential to prevent exposure to its dangers.

Given the spread of thousands of tons of unexploded ordnance across the Strip, removing them requires careful planning, risk assessment, and trained personnel, and the financial cost of removing unexploded ordnance is significant.

Aerial surveys using drones and satellite images can identify hazardous areas, assess debris distribution, and plan removal strategies. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology helps map debris locations, prioritize clearing areas, and improve resource allocation.

Also, working with robotic systems by deploying robots to remove debris, especially in hazardous areas, enhances safety and efficiency.

Translated by: Rasha Abu Dayyeh