War brings devastation in ways that are immediately visible—flattened homes, displaced families, shattered lives. But in the wreckage of Gaza’s crumbled buildings lies a quieter, invisible menace that will continue to haunt its people for decades: asbestos.
The widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure has released toxic materials like asbestos into the air, soil, and water. While the bullets may have stopped flying in moments of uneasy ceasefires, the damage lingers in the dust—posing long-term health dangers that aren’t just tragic but tragically preventable.
The Hidden Threat in the Rubble
Asbestos, once widely used for its insulation and fire-resistant properties, is now infamous for its devastating health effects. In Gaza, where many buildings were constructed decades ago with limited resources, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were frequently used in roofing, water tanks, and wall insulation. The ferocity of the recent bombings has pulverized these structures, scattering clouds of tiny, needle-like fibers into the air.
Unlike the smoke from a missile or the roar of a jet overhead, asbestos doesn’t make itself known right away. It’s silent. Inhaled fibers can remain in the body for years, often causing no immediate symptoms. But over time, they settle into the lungs, causing irreversible damage. Diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma don’t surface overnight—they take 20, sometimes 30 years to manifest. And by then, it’s often too late.
Airborne for Generations
The real tragedy is that asbestos doesn’t degrade easily. Once it’s released, it remains suspended in the air, clinging to clothing, settling into the soil, or getting carried into homes by the wind. Children playing in the streets, families salvaging belongings from bombed-out buildings, aid workers navigating the debris—all are at risk.
This isn’t a distant concern. According to the United Nations and environmental health experts, the long-term health consequences from this exposure could be catastrophic. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warned as early as June 2024 that debris management in Gaza must be prioritized to prevent a secondary wave of suffering from environmental toxins like asbestos.
Health Systems Already in Crisis
What makes the situation even more harrowing is that Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure is in tatters. Hospitals have been bombed. Clinics have run out of medicine. Doctors and nurses are exhausted or injured themselves. Even in peacetime, managing long-latency illnesses like mesothelioma requires early detection, expensive diagnostic tools, and specialized care—all of which are currently in short supply, if available at all.
And this isn’t just about treating individual patients. The public health threat is systemic. Asbestos-related diseases often don’t show up until years after exposure, making it incredibly difficult to trace their origin, secure funding for treatment, or build preventative measures in advance. That leaves a ticking time bomb buried beneath the concrete dust and twisted rebar.
Lessons from Other Conflict Zones
This isn’t the first time war has unleashed a silent health emergency. In Iraq, Syria, and even post-9/11 New York, buildings destroyed by explosives released similar clouds of toxic materials. In each case, respiratory illnesses surged years after the initial event. First responders and civilians alike reported chronic coughs, lung scarring, and rare cancers linked directly to inhaled debris.
Gaza now joins this grim list. But unlike those other places, Gaza is under blockade, politically isolated, and chronically underfunded. That means fewer resources for clean-up, less access to international aid, and an uphill battle to get even basic medical support for its people.
The Urgency of Safe Debris Management
Dealing with asbestos-contaminated debris isn’t as simple as clearing roads or piling up rubble. It requires trained personnel in protective gear, air quality monitoring, containment zones, and secure disposal sites. In places like Gaza, where even clean water is scarce, expecting that level of hazard mitigation without outside help is not just unrealistic—it’s irresponsible.
According to the UN’s June 2024 environmental impact assessment, as much as 80% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, leaving behind an estimated 37 million tons of rubble, much of it suspected to contain asbestos. If this debris isn’t managed correctly, Gaza could be facing a long-term environmental and public health disaster that rivals the immediate effects of war.
No Choice but to Rebuild Safely
Rebuilding Gaza is a humanitarian imperative—but how it’s rebuilt matters just as much. The use of asbestos-containing materials must be permanently banned. International agencies, including WHO and UNEP, must step in not only with funds but also with training, equipment, and policy enforcement. Gaza must be rebuilt not just stronger, but safer.
This also means putting health monitoring systems in place now. A registry of exposed individuals, routine lung screenings, and environmental assessments are all vital. Without these systems, we won’t know the full scale of the crisis until it’s far too late.
Educating the Public Before It’s Too Late
Public education is perhaps one of the most immediate, low-cost solutions available. People need to know what asbestos is, how to recognize potential exposure, and what steps to take to protect themselves. Right now, many residents are unknowingly handling asbestos-laden debris with bare hands and without masks. They deserve to know the risks—because awareness can save lives.
Looking Ahead: Hope Through Action
The road ahead for Gaza is long and uncertain. But one thing is clear: ignoring the asbestos crisis will only compound the suffering. With coordinated action—from local governments, international bodies, health experts, and the global community—there is still time to prevent a future wave of avoidable illness.
