Following the ceasefire in Gaza, essential services remain deeply compromised, with solid waste ‎management (SWM) among the most affected. Although UNDP and partners under the SWM Task ‎Force have made meaningful progress, the overall system remains under extreme pressure. The ‎number of temporary dumpsites has decreased from 141 to 56, as a part of efforts undertaken ‎throughout 2024 - 2025 to remove smaller dumping sites as part of the winterization plan. ‎
However, only 10 to 12 of these temporary dumping sites are accessible and operational, and ‎Gaza’s two main sanitary landfills remain inaccessible. The environmental and public health risks ‎remain critical. As winter approaches, the situation presents new challenges. Rainfall and ‎flooding may spread accumulated waste into surrounding communities and contaminate water ‎sources. Blocked drainage systems and uncollected waste increase the risk of waterborne ‎diseases and hinder access to shelters. Without sustained waste collection and safe disposal, ‎public health risks are expected to escalate throughout the winter season.‎