In February 2026, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) commenced the clearance of one of the largest and most hazardous waste dumps in the Gaza Strip. The Al-Yarmouk waste collection point, located in the heart of Gaza City, has accumulated an estimated 100,000 tons of trash, threatening the surrounding population with an immediate health catastrophe. The emergency operation aims to transport toxic waste to a safer landfill located further from residential areas, as experts fear the emergence of cholera alongside rising cases of hepatitis and skin diseases.
Due to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, waste management infrastructure has almost entirely collapsed. The Al-Yarmouk site, which originally served as a temporary collection point, has swelled over recent months into a massive, uncontrolled mountain of garbage situated directly adjacent to schools, hospitals, and densely populated residential neighborhoods.
The “Waste Mountain” in Numbers
A report by Reuters provides specific data underscoring the scale and urgency of the operation:
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100,000 Tons: The amount of waste accumulated at the Al-Yarmouk collection point since the start of the conflict.
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15-20 Trucks: The number of vehicles and several heavy machines (loaders) deployed daily by the UNDP to remove the trash.
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4-5 Months: The estimated time required by specialists to completely clear the area, provided security conditions allow for continuous work.
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Johr al-Deek: The designated destination, a more remote, officially managed landfill where the mass is being relocated.
Prior to the start of the clearance, the height of the accumulated trash reached several stories in some places, and liquids leaking from decaying matter directly threatened the groundwater.
Critical Health Risks
The landfill is more than an aesthetic or odor problem; aid organizations and health authorities describe the site as a “biological time bomb.”
“The direct proximity of the Al-Yarmouk dump to residential houses and health facilities is untenable. Due to the toxic smoke from burning trash and the proliferation of pests, the number of respiratory and skin diseases has surged in the area,” stated the UNDP report.
Health statistics are alarming: thousands of cases of Hepatitis A have already been registered in the region. Experts warn that if organic waste is not removed from densely populated areas, the combination of waste and the lack of clean water could lead to the appearance of cholera, a disease previously uncommon in the territory.
Logistical and Security Challenges
Starting the waste removal requires a major logistical feat within an active conflict zone. The UNDP must coordinate movements with warring parties to ensure the safety of trucks and workers along routes passing through the city.
Steps of the Clearance Process:
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Loading: Heavy machinery transfers the waste—often mixed with infectious medical refuse—onto trucks.
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Transport: A fleet of 15-20 trucks operates a continuous shuttle service between Gaza City and the Johr al-Deek landfill.
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Treatment: At the destination, the waste is covered with layers of soil to prevent further infection and the spread of odors.
While the project has launched, UN officials emphasize that this is merely “firefighting.” Until full-scale waste collection services (which previously handled over 1,000 tons of trash daily) are restored in the Strip, hotspots similar to Al-Yarmouk could re-emerge at any time.
Official Sources and References:
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Original Reuters Coverage (February 11, 2026): UN agency begins clearing huge Gaza City waste dump as health risks mount
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United Nations Development Programme: UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People
