Gaza’s Crisis: A Toxic Intersection of War and Climate Vulnerability

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Gaza remains in a dire humanitarian crisis exacerbated by an ongoing military assault, with over 48,219 fatalities reported since October 2023, according to medical sources. Amidst this devastation, reports from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) emphasize the “real and imminent risk” to Palestinian rights under the scope of the Genocide Convention. The region's healthcare infrastructure has deteriorated dramatically, with only 17 out of 36 hospitals functioning by November 2024.

The United States has faced criticism for contributing a mere $17.5 million to a newly operationalized climate loss and damage fund, a fraction of the $700 million pledged globally, as discussions continued at COP29. Activists argue that U.S. support for Israel's military actions undermines climate justice efforts, particularly in the context of a human-made famine affecting over 1.8 million people.

Experts warn that Gaza's protracted health and environmental destruction renders its population highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as conditions remain unlivable. The urgent call for sustained humanitarian aid underscores the intersection of humanitarian crises and environmental degradation facing Gaza's beleaguered residents.

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