The inhabitants of the Gaza Strip have no other refuge than the Mediterranean coast to escape the summer heat and enjoy some leisure time amid the electricity crisis. However, even in their escape, the sewage problem chases them. There are three sewage drains that dump their water in the Mediterranean, causing massive pollution along the coast.

These sewage drains have been dumping thousands of liters of sewage water into the sea for years. The first drain is located in the Shalehat resort, considered the best in Gaza, while the second faces the basin of Gaza’s main port. The third drain faces the Beach refugee camp.

Fayez al-Safadi said that he took his family to the beach to relax, adding, “We usually go to the beach to escape the intense heat waves back home, but we are never completely happy. The beaches are polluted with sewage.” He clarified that the sewage drains that dump their water in Gaza’s sea constitute a big problem and cause dangerous environmental pollution that threatens the lives of citizens, especially children, relaxing on the beach.

After demanding that the Gaza municipality find a quick solution for this dangerous environmental crisis, Safadi added, “Because of this pollution, we decided not to swim. Some meters away, there is the Shalehat resort pump that turns the blue color of the sea into a dark tone.”