Gaza city: The Gaza City Municipality has issued an urgent warning regarding the catastrophic condition of the city following extensive Israeli attacks. These assaults have resulted in the destruction of more than 80% of Gaza's infrastructure since October 2023, prompting urgent calls for the establishment of a land, sea, and air bridge to facilitate the delivery of essential equipment and humanitarian aid to the beleaguered area.
According to Anadolu Agency, a campaign has been launched by the municipality to clear and reopen the main streets, as well as to remove debris, marking the beginning of an early recovery phase following a recently established ceasefire. The city's spokesman, Husni Mehanna, highlighted the urgent need for $140 million to fund this initiative.
The Israeli military has reportedly deployed over 200,000 tons of explosives, including 200-pound bombs that are internationally banned, throughout the course of the conflict that began in October 2023. These figures have been corroborated by the latest data from Gaza's government media office.
Despite facing logistical challenges, the municipality is collaborating with Qatar's Gaza Reconstruction Committee to aid the return of displaced residents. Mehanna noted the significant loss of municipal equipment, with only one functional heavy bulldozer remaining, compelling the city to rent machinery from the private sector.
The destruction is extensive, with 80-85% of Gaza City's infrastructure damaged, including the obliteration of over 810 kilometers of city streets. The Israeli attacks also targeted critical water infrastructure, destroying 56 water wells and several main tanks, and causing an 85% shortage in water supply, which has left numerous neighborhoods without water for extended periods.
Additionally, the accumulation of over 250,000 tons of solid waste across residential areas poses a looming environmental and health crisis. Mehanna emphasized the urgency of allowing municipal crews access to the Jihar al-Dik landfill in the Israeli-occupied eastern part of the city.
With 85% of municipal vehicles destroyed and the remainder inoperative, Mehanna warned of an imminent collapse of essential services unless immediate aid, machinery, and fuel are provided. He stressed the necessity for international intervention, given the overwhelming scale of the destruction.
In a related development, US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, part of a broader plan initiated on September 29. The initial phase, implemented last Friday, includes the release of hostages and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces. The second phase involves establishing a new governance structure in Gaza, excluding Hamas, alongside the formation of a multinational force and disarmament efforts.
Since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, nearly 68,000 Palestinians have been killed, predominantly women and children, rendering the Gaza Strip largely uninhabitable.