GAZA, (PIC)
A new environmental study conducted by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Volcani Institute, and the Agricultural Research Organization in southern Arava has raised concerns that the environmental consequences of Israel’s war on Gaza are extending beyond the enclave and affecting areas inside Israel.
The study detected elevated levels of PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” in potato samples collected from dozens of agricultural fields near Gaza. Researchers also found traces of the substances in water and soil samples as far as 19 kilometers (12 miles) from the Gaza border.
PFAS compounds are considered among the most concerning environmental pollutants because they do not easily break down in nature or the human body. Their resistance to heat and natural degradation allows them to persist in ecosystems and living organisms for decades.
According to a report by Middle East Eye , researchers believe wind may have carried the chemicals into nearby agricultural areas as a result of the intensive use of explosives and munitions during ongoing military operations in Gaza. The findings have fueled concerns about the cross-border environmental consequences of the war.
Numerous health studies have linked exposure to certain PFAS compounds to immune and reproductive system disorders, developmental problems in fetuses, increased cancer risks, and other chronic illnesses.
The findings add to existing environmental concerns inside Israel, where PFAS contamination has previously been detected in drinking water and agricultural wells. In some cases, authorities have closed or restricted access to contaminated water sources.
The study also highlights broader environmental costs associated with the war. Specialized research estimates that military operations in Gaza have generated an enormous carbon footprint, exceeding the annual emissions of dozens of countries due to the scale of bombardment, destruction, debris removal, and the future reconstruction process.
Environmental assessments have estimated that the climate impact of destroying and rebuilding Gaza could amount to tens of millions of tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Other studies suggest that the environmental consequences of recent Israeli military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon are comparable to the annual emissions produced by dozens of natural gas power plants.
Meanwhile, Gaza has endured years of worsening environmental degradation due to the blockade and repeated damage to civilian infrastructure, including water networks, sewage systems, agricultural land, and essential public services.
The extensive destruction caused by the war has further deepened food insecurity, water shortages, and environmental contamination, while raising concerns about declining agricultural production, depletion of natural resources, and deteriorating public health conditions.
Researchers say the study sheds light on a new dimension of the war’s impact: the spread of environmental damage beyond Gaza’s borders, raising questions about the long-term ecological costs of military operations and the possibility that their effects could persist long after the fighting ends.