Climate experts have warned the effects of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza Strip run deeper than what’s immediately visible, TRT World reports.

Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, toxic contamination and large volumes of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by military conflict,“ UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment David R. Boyd told TRT World via email.

“These environmental impacts exacerbate the toll of death and injury directly caused by acts of war, but the environmental death toll will continue for decades due to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer caused by exposure to elevated levels of pollution.”

An internationally coordinated effort will be needed to fix the ecosystem and make the environment livable for civilians, says Dr Erum Zahir, a professor in the University of Karachi’s chemistry department.

The US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry says white phosphorus can slowly accumulate in the bodies of fish that live in contaminated lakes or streams, TRT World stated.

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