Global Outcry Mounts Over Gaza Crisis as Humanitarian, Environmental Costs Deepen

Global Outcry Mounts Over Gaza Crisis as Humanitarian, Environmental Costs Deepen
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Israel’s military actions in Gaza are drawing growing international condemnation amid worsening humanitarian conditions and environmental concerns. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Tuesday that the “last lifelines” sustaining the population in Gaza are collapsing, as over 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while seeking food aid since late May.

The UN and humanitarian groups have accused Israel of targeting aid distribution sites and hindering relief operations. Recent airstrikes hit World Health Organization facilities in Deir al-Balah, Gaza’s main aid hub, while Israel also revoked the visa of the top UN humanitarian official in the territory. Guterres described the situation as a “horror show,” highlighting severe malnutrition, limited aid access, and unsafe working conditions for humanitarian staff.

International leaders, including UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, criticized Israel for the continued civilian casualties at food distribution points. Lammy said he was “sickened” by images of children being shot while queuing for aid. Meanwhile, the UN’s main agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, reported its staff and medical workers are collapsing from hunger, surviving on minimal food amid blocked supplies.

The UN World Food Programme estimates nearly 25% of Gaza’s population faces famine-like conditions, with almost 100,000 women and children suffering severe acute malnutrition. Calls for a surge in humanitarian aid have come from figures including the Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who described the conditions as “morally unacceptable.”

Amid the humanitarian crisis, a new study by researchers from the universities of Edinburgh and Oxford sheds light on the long-term environmental impact of Israel’s bombardment. The destruction across Gaza has generated more than 39 million tonnes of debris, potentially releasing over 90,000 tonnes of carbon emissions during cleanup.

Processing the rubble could take decades with current equipment, and the presence of toxic materials and human remains complicates the effort. This environmental toll adds to growing concern over the military’s contribution to global climate change. Studies estimate military activities account for about 5.5% of global emissions, yet are largely unreported in international climate frameworks.