Gaza’s conflict devastates SDGs, requiring a globally coordinated response prioritizing ecological health and sustainable peace initiatives.
Authors
Abdo Hassoun, Sustainable AgriFoodtech Innovation & Research (SAFIR), Arras, France; Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic
Carlos Parra-López, Department of Agrifood System Economics, Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), Centre ‘Camino de Purchil’, S/N. 18004, Granada, Spain
Tarek Ben Hassen, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar
Saker Ben Abdallah, Laboratory of Rural Economy, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia (INRAT), El Menzah 1, 1004-1001, Tunis, Tunisia
Lana Shehadeh, Arab American University, Ramallah, Palestine
Claudia Terezia Socol, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, 26 Gen. Magheru St., Oradea, 410048, Romania
Abderahman Rejeb, Faculty of Business and Economics, Széchenyi István University, Győr, 9026, Hungary
Nadia Mahdi, Gaza Electricity Distribution Corporation (GEDCO), Gaza, Palestine
Ashutosh Samadhiya, Assistant Professor, Jindal Global Business School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India; School of Business Administration, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Mohamed Buheji, International Institute of Inspiration Economy, Riffa, Bahrain
Dunya Ahmed, International Institute of Inspiration Economy, Riffa, Bahrain; Department of Social Science, University of Bahrain, Sakhir, Bahrain
Yehia El-Temsah, Centre for Biosafety, Postboks 6418, 9294, Tromsø, Norway
Muna Khoury, Antwerp Management School, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Faculty of Business and Economics, Birzeit University (BZU), Birzeit, Palestine
Ahmad Nour Hassoun, Sustainable AgriFoodtech Innovation & Research (SAFIR), Arras, France
Iman Dankar, Department of Liberal Studies, Faculty of Arts & Sciences, Lebanese American University, PO Box: 36, Blat, Lebanon
Omer Althafery, Department of Food Engineering, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
Monica Trif, Centre for Innovative Process Engineering (CENTIV) GmbH, Syke, 28857, Germany
Dalal Iriqat, Dept of Social Sciences, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Arab American University, Jenin, Palestine
Summary
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.
Published in: Environment, Development and Sustainability
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