Abstract :
The environment in the Gaza Strip has been completely destroyed since its occupation by Israel in the 1967 war. The area of the Gaza Strip is 360 km2. The Palestinians (900,000 people) live on 50% of this area, and the Israeli settlers (3500 people) live on the other half. Existing basic environmental infrastructure has been neglected by the Israeli military authorities during the occupation. This article summarizes the environmental problems in the Gaza Strip, and necessary new facilities have not been built. This article discusses approaches, measures, and steps for an environmental management and legislation in this area. Serious problems include noise pollution, air pollution, groundwater pollution, soil salinization, high-voltage electricity, possible radioactive hazards, and the spread of Norwegian rats. By the time authority was handed over from the Israelis to the Palestinians (May 1994), the Gaza Strip was in need of a comprehensive strategy for environmental management and protection. The Palestinian authorities still need to establish specific institutions suitable for the transition to a new developing political, economical, and certainly environmental future. The bases on which these institutions must be established are identification, evaluation, and analysis of environmental problems, methods of protection, and the experience of the other societies. The experience of the other societies will help considerably in developing an environmental management policy for the Gaza Strip. The new policy be the product of strong legislation. Without new controls, measures, and standards for an management policy, the environmental condition of the Gaza Strip will continue to deteriorate.
