The Gaza conflict and its implications for the sustainable development goals: a comprehensive analysis
Publication Name: Environment Development and Sustainability
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
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.
Open Access: Yes
Authors - 18
Carlos Parra-López
23397960800
Monica Trif
25621778500
Yehia El-Temsah
54580888300
Abdo Hassoun
56524212600
Saker Ben Abdallah
56688644900
Mohamed Buheji
57193401521
Dunya Ahmed
57193408799
Iman Dankar
57195227456
Ashutosh Samadhiya
57202603196
Lana Shehadeh
57210928297
Claudia Terezia Socol
57211522558
Dalal Iriqat
57442645500
Tarek Ben Hassen
57796962100
Nadia Mahdi
59958127400
Ahmad Nour Hassoun
60134054800
Muna Khoury
60134392400
Omer Althafery
60134735300
Abderrahman Rajeb
60134849800