This chapter explores the severe impacts of the recent war (October 2023–January 2025) on Gaza’s coastal and marine ecosystems, with a focus on threats to marine biodiversity, environmental health, and the livelihoods that rely on these ecosystems, while addressing the challenges to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14). It examines the environmental effects on coastal communities, including habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, pollution from debris, oil spills, chemical contaminants, and the degradation of water quality. The socioeconomic repercussions are equally significant, encompassing increased poverty, loss of income, soaring unemployment, and worsening food insecurity. The discussion extends to the implications for SDG 14, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive environmental monitoring, targeted restoration initiatives, and strengthened international support to rehabilitate Gaza’s marine ecosystems. The chapter underscores the importance of peacebuilding, sustainable management practices, and global cooperation in safeguarding these critical ecosystems and ensuring their resilience in the face of war. This analysis is grounded in both grey literature and peer-reviewed publications, offering a robust foundation for understanding the multifaceted challenges and proposing actionable solutions to support long-term recovery and sustainability.

The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has precipitated a severe humanitarian and socio-economic crisis with profound implications for sustainable development across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. As of June 2025, hostilities have resulted in approximately 55,000 fatalities and thousands of severe injuries, with critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, and sanitation facilities, have been devastated. This study examines the far-reaching impacts of the Gaza conflict on progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing mainly on areas such as public health, education, clean water access, and environmental preservation. The roots of the current crisis trace back to 2007, when a blockade was imposed, severely limiting access to essential resources and contributing to prolonged socio-economic decline. Escalating hostilities since October 2023 have intensified these challenges, leading to the degradation of vital natural resources, widespread environmental pollution, and further damage to already fragile ecosystems. This research employs a comprehensive review of both scholarly and grey literature, utilizing data from international reports and region-specific studies to assess how conflict-driven disruptions have impacted Gaza’s trajectory toward critical SDGs. The study applies the ‘Wedding Cake’ model of sustainable development to illustrate how environmental degradation undermines social structures and economic stability. By framing Gaza’s challenges within the SDG framework, this analysis underscores the critical need for a multifaceted, globally coordinated response to address the intertwined crises of human suffering, environmental destruction, and economic collapse. Ultimately, the study advocates for sustainable solutions prioritizing ecological health and resilience as foundations for long-term peace and recovery in Gaza and beyond.

In this article, the author name ‘Abderahman Rejeb’ was incorrectly published as ‘Abderrahman Rajeb’. The original article has been corrected.