UN starts Gaza City cleanup as waste bans raise health fears

The United Nations Development Programme joined other agencies on February 11, 2026, to clean a major waste site in Gaza City. This effort occurs while the UN warns that public health dangers are growing because Israeli restrictions hinder solid waste collection across the strip.

Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric addressed a news conference on Tuesday regarding the deteriorating sanitation situation. He stated that partners supporting waste collection have warned that only half of their vehicle fleet remains operational at this specific time.

Dujarric explained that persistent Israeli restrictions prevent enough engine oil and spare parts from entering. These supplies are required to keep vehicles running, meaning only some trash can be collected by the limited number of working trucks available now.

As a result of these logistical failures, public health risks are increasing significantly. The inability to remove all accumulated waste poses a direct threat to the population, especially given the already fragile state of local infrastructure and services in the region.

The spokesperson demanded that a wider range of critical supplies must be allowed into Gaza immediately. He called for less red tape and more crossings to be opened for deliveries to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most urgently.

Dujarric emphasized that humanitarian funding is also critical for ongoing operations. He noted that people face their fourth winter in dire displacement conditions, which exacerbates challenges posed by inadequate waste management and lack of basic sanitary services.

The conflict launched in October 2023 with US backing has caused more than 74,000 deaths. It has injured over 175,000 individuals while destroying 90 percent of civilian infrastructure throughout the territory during the prolonged military campaign there.

Despite a ceasefire effective since Oct. 10, 2025, Israel has continued shelling and shooting. Palestinian structures continue to be demolished, expanding destruction even after the formal cessation of major hostilities was declared by involved parties.