Ecocide, the unspoken effect of War
The war in Gaza is not only causing casualties but also increasing the risk of “ecocide” through environmental destruction. Bombings, chemical residues, and damaged infrastructure are devastating agriculture, water resources, and biodiversity, leading to long-term ecological disaster and famine risk.
The case of the Gaza Strip
News about armed conflicts often portrays reports of casualties, death toll and destroyed infrastructures. But a far long-term impact over agriculture and biodiversity is often overlooked as fields are being damaged, water contaminated and inhabitants are unable to grow crops. All of that is framed under the term of “Ecocide”.
What is an ecocide?
The practice is not new as it was carried by the US during the Vietnam war with the use of agent orange lasting effect until this day.1
The concept originated in the 70’s. It means the destruction of environment ecosystem by human intervention. The definition from the Stop Ecocide Foundation states “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts”.1
Another explanation was submitted to the United Nations in 2010 as “The extensive damage to, destruction of or loss of ecosystems of a given territory, whether by human agency or by any other causes, to such an extent that peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants of that territory has been severely diminished.”2
It is yet to be considered a crime by international law. Even thought the topic is being discussed since the establishment of international jurisdiction in 1948 and many NGO’s try to implement it under the International Criminal Court legislation. However, the Status of Romeprohibits long term effect on environment during war times if it exceeds direct overall military advantages.
In the case of Gaza.
Since the Israeli military offensive on Gaza in October 2023, up to 70 000 tons of explosive may have been dropped on the territory hence the equivalent of 6 Hiroshima bombs power, Paul Rogers says.3
Such weapons were used on a small territory while hosting one of the highest population densities in the world with thousands of internally displaced.This fact alone renders the use of white phosphorus by Israeli forces, confirmed By Humans Right watch, immediately illegal. While white phosphorus harms directly people as it burns heavily the skin and even the bones, it has long lasting effects on soil and agricultural lands.4
Besides the obvious air pollution, hazardous chemicals lie under the rubbles from destroyed infrastructures such as hospitals and will contaminate the soil and aquifer for decades. It is particularly a disaster in the context of drinkable water shortages.5
This impact farms who are essential for growing plants,but they are also part of the patrimony and daily lives of Gazans, like the culture of oranges and olive trees, and actas well as precious help for CO2 absorption.
A study by Forensic Architect shows that approximately 70% of Gaza’s agricultural land was destroyed by March 2024. The study advances that to those actions seem to be systematic from the IDF.6
The territory of the Gaza strip is far beyond the point of an ecocide risk as the systemic destruction of its fields, crops and farms affects its sustainability, strengthen the risk of famine despite the ongoing Israeli blockade of aids. Continuous bombings have polluted the air and destroyed the infrastructure like the sewages and spoiled fresh water. The West Bank is not at rest. It also suffered attacks on its flora when thousands of olive treeswere arbitrarily uprooted amidst increasing settlers’ attacks.7
Sources:
2. https://fr.stopecocide.earth/legal-definition
5. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/white-phosphorus
6. https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/ecocide-in-gaza
7. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68969239
https://press.un.org/en/2024/gaspd826.doc.htm
Faudel Taouli
Contributing writer at EUReflect.