Palestine Denounces Gaza Devastation as “Ecocide”
The Permanent Mission of the State of Palestine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands has formally described the environmental destruction in Gaza as ecocide, citing that less than 5% of agricultural land remains suitable for cultivation and calling for international legal recognition of the long-term consequences¹. The statement — the first by a state-level actor to explicitly use the term in relation to Gaza — marks a significant development in the growing international discourse on environmental harm and accountability during conflict.
The ongoing destruction of Gaza’s environment during Israel’s military campaign has prompted increasing international scrutiny — not only on humanitarian grounds, but as a potential case study in the urgent relevance of ecocide law. The scale of environmental harm is extensive: the destruction and collapse of water and sewage treatment systems, contamination of water sources, toxic debris from collapsed buildings and tens of thousands of munitions, widespread damage to agricultural land and food systems, and the destruction of civil and energy infrastructure, with cascading effects on civilians, ecosystems and environmental health.
This environmental toll is now being examined through a growing body of evidence and commentary by legal scholars, international human rights groups, environmental justice organisations, forensic investigators, and international institutions. A range of perspectives — from scientific analysis to legal argument — is emerging to assess whether the scale and nature of this destruction could meet the threshold of ecocide.
What follows is a curated overview of key sources contributing to this developing discourse².
¹ Permanent Mission of the State of Palestine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, statement on environmental destruction in Gaza, X (formerly Twitter), 27 May 2025. Available at: https://x.com/PalMissionNL/status/1927368824824779220
² This document will be updated periodically; sources and references may be added after the date of publication.
Academic and Legal Analysis
Forensic Architecture – “No Traces of Life” (2023–2024)
Presents spatial and architectural evidence of the widespread targeting of Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure, including orchards and greenhouses, framing the destruction as systematic and potentially constituting ecocide.
https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/ecocide-in-gaza
Law for Palestine – Joint Communication to the International Criminal Court (March 2024)
A legal submission addressing alleged genocide in Gaza, including ecocide as evidence of genocidal intent. Cites deliberate destruction of environmental infrastructure and long-term harm to civilian populations.
https://law4palestine.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Joint-Communication-to-the-Office-of-the-Prosecutor-of-the-International-Criminal-Court-Regarding-the-Perpetration-of-the-Crime-of-Genocide-by-Members-of-the-Israeli-War-Cabinet-Law-for-Palestine.pdf
Laurent A. Lambert – “Ecocide as Genocide: A Human Security Approach to ‘Utter Annihilation’ in Gaza” (6 October 2024)
Published by the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies, this paper explores links between environmental destruction and genocidal processes, framing ecocide as a threat to human security. https://www.dohainstitute.org/en/Lists/ACRPS-PDFDocumentLibrary/ecocide-as-genocide-a-human-security-approach-to-utter-annihilation-in-gaza.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
University of California Global Health Institute – “Ecocide in Gaza” (4 June 2024)
Discusses the potential long-term public health consequences of environmental destruction in Gaza and its intersection with allegations of genocide.
https://ucghi.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/ecocide-gaza-israels-genocide-gaza-will-create-unprecedented-environmental-health-crisis
Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights – “Ecocide: Israel’s Deliberate and Systematic Environmental Destruction in Gaza” (16 October 2024)
Outlines how repeated targeting of environmental and civilian infrastructure has created sustained ecological harm. Describes the destruction as systematic and calls for international accountability.
https://mezan.org/en/post/46553/Ecocide:-Israel%E2%80%99s-Deliberate-and-Systematic-Environmental--Destruction-in-Gaza
Statements and Analysis from States, Institutions, and Civil Society
Permanent Mission of the State of Palestine to the Netherlands – Public Statement (27 May 2025)
Describes the environmental destruction in Gaza as ecocide, noting that less than 5% of agricultural land remains suitable for cultivation and calling for international legal recognition.
https://x.com/PalMissionNL/status/1927368824824779220
World Bank, UN & EU – Gaza Strip Interim Damage Assessment (29 March 2024)
Documents widespread and cross-sectoral environmental harm in Gaza, including near-total collapse of water, sanitation, and health services. Warns of long-term degradation due to rubble, explosive ordnance, and hazardous contamination. https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/14e309cd34e04e40b90eb19afa7b5d15-0280012024/original/Gaza-Interim-Damage-Assessment-032924-Final.pdf
World Bank, UN & EU – Gaza and West Bank Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (February 2025)
Estimates nearly $2 billion in environmental damage and recovery needs in Gaza. Urges prioritisation of environmental protection in reconstruction to prevent irreversible harm. https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/133c3304e29086819c1119fe8e85366b-0280012025/original/Gaza-RDNA-final-med.pdf
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Preliminary Environmental Assessment (18 June 2024)
Reports severe environmental damage across water, air, marine, and soil systems in Gaza. Highlights new risks to human health and calls for urgent environmental response measures.
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/damage-gaza-causing-new-risks-human-health-and-long-term-recovery
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese – “Genocide as Colonial Erasure” (1 October 2024)
Links environmental harm in Gaza to broader patterns of colonisation and genocide. Suggests that ecocide should be considered alongside other international crimes.
https://www.un.org/unispal/document/genocide-as-colonial-erasure-report-francesca-albanese-01oct24/
Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network – Press Statement (10 October 2024)
Joint statement calling for international recognition of the environmental destruction in Gaza as ecocide and urging legal accountability.
https://www.tierra.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Press-conference-English.pdf
Friends of the Earth International – “Internationalist Solidarity with Palestine” (23 October 2024)
Calls for international recognition of Israel’s environmental destruction in Gaza as ecocide. https://www.foei.org/solidarity-with-palestine/
Al-Haq – Legal Commentary and Advocacy Statements (2024)
Provides legal analysis of environmental destruction in Gaza in the context of international humanitarian and criminal law, including discussion of ecocide.
https://www.alhaq.org/advocacy/26281.html
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – “The Ecocide of Palestine” (2024)
Positions the environmental destruction in Gaza as an expression of structural violence and calls for international recognition of ecocide.
https://www.wilpf.org/the-ecocide-of-palestine/
Media Coverage and Investigative Reporting
The Guardian – “Ecocide in Gaza: Does Scale of Environmental Destruction Amount to a War Crime?” (29 March 2024)
Investigates legal thresholds for ecocide in relation to observed environmental damage in Gaza, including farmland destruction and pollution.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/29/gaza-israel-palestinian-war-ecocide-environmental-destruction-pollution-rome-statute-war-crimes-aoe
The Guardian – “Carbon Footprint of Israel’s War on Gaza Exceeds That of Many Entire Countries” (30 May 2025)
Reports that the war has generated nearly 2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, with reconstruction likely to add tens of millions more. Highlights the environmental cost of conflict.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/30/carbon-footprint-of-israels-war-on-gaza-exceeds-that-of-many-entire-countries
David Whyte and Samira Homerang Saunders – “From Papua to Gaza: Military Occupation Leads to Climate Catastrophe” (13 August 2024)
An opinion piece drawing parallels between environmental damage under military occupation in Papua and Gaza. Highlights the climate implications of prolonged conflict.
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/8/13/from-papua-to-gaza-military-occupation-leads-to-climate-catastrophe
Al Jazeera English – “Ecocide in Gaza: A War Waged on Farmland and Ecosystems” [Video] (8 October 2024)
Reports on the systematic targeting of farmland and environmental infrastructure, with expert interviews including Kate Mackintosh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxqLJnIX2bA
Yale e360 – “As War Halts, the Environmental Devastation in Gaza Runs Deep” (6 February 2025)
Overview of ecological damage in Gaza, including destruction of wetlands, aquifers, and farmland. Includes expert commentary on long-term recovery challenges.
https://e360.yale.edu/features/gaza-war-environment
Ground Report – Wahid Bhat – “Ecocide in Gaza: Who Will Hear and Heal Its Dying Environment?” (4 April 2024)
Explores the environmental and humanitarian toll of the conflict in Gaza and advocates for urgent remediation and accountability.
https://groundreport.in/ecocide-in-gaza-who-will-hear-and-heal-its-dying-environment/
The New Arab – “Ecocide in Gaza: The Environmental Impact of Israel’s War” by Philippe Pernot (9 May 2024)
Summarises the ecological consequences of military action in Gaza and examines international legal frameworks.
https://www.newarab.com/analysis/ecocide-gaza-environmental-impact-israels-war
Anadolu Agency – “Ecocide: Israel’s Systematic Destruction of Palestinian Agriculture Revealed” (5 May 2024)
Details the destruction of agricultural land and farming infrastructure in Gaza, based on satellite and field reporting.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/ecocide-israels-systematic-destruction-of-palestinian-agriculture-revealed/3210422
L’Espresso – “Con l’ecoidio di Gaza, Israele ha cancellato ogni possibile futuro sulla Striscia” by Christian Elia (11 April 2024)
Italian-language report arguing that the environmental destruction has effectively eliminated Gaza’s ecological and agricultural future.
https://lespresso.it/c/mondo/2024/4/11/con-lecocidio-di-gaza-israele-ha-cancellato-ogni-possibile-futuro-sulla-striscia/50554
TRT World – “Ecocide in Gaza: Largest Case in Recent History” (8 October 2024)
Frames Gaza as the most extensive recent instance of ecocide based on cumulative damage to natural systems and infrastructure.
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/ecocide-in-gaza-largest-case-in-recent-history-18217510