UN hopes to turn Gaza Valley into a nature reserve – in pictures

  • Palestinians visit Gaza Valley, in the Gaza Strip, during a trip organised by the United Nations. All pictures: Reuters
    Palestinians visit Gaza Valley, in the Gaza Strip, during a trip organised by the United Nations. All pictures: Reuters
  • The UN is set to begin restoration work in the valley next month.
    The UN is set to begin restoration work in the valley next month.
  • It hopes to transform the valley from a landfill and sewage dump into a vibrant nature reserve.
    It hopes to transform the valley from a landfill and sewage dump into a vibrant nature reserve.
  • The project is expected to cost $66 million.
    The project is expected to cost $66 million.
  • The Gaza Valley, home to a variety of plants and animals, is one of the largest wetland areas in the territory.
    The Gaza Valley, home to a variety of plants and animals, is one of the largest wetland areas in the territory.
  • The valley has become badly polluted in recent years.
    The valley has become badly polluted in recent years.
  • With rubbish piling up and the stench of sewage flowing through it, residents have largely stayed away from the once-popular beauty spot.
    With rubbish piling up and the stench of sewage flowing through it, residents have largely stayed away from the once-popular beauty spot.
  • A bird's-eye view of the valley shows how large the area is.
    A bird's-eye view of the valley shows how large the area is.
  • The valley stretches 105 kilometres from the Israeli Negev desert up to southern Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and for 9km across the Gaza Strip to the Mediterranean sea.
    The valley stretches 105 kilometres from the Israeli Negev desert up to southern Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and for 9km across the Gaza Strip to the Mediterranean sea.