Current view: Text account
Site description (1999 baseline):
Site location and context
It is a wetland region; it follows the coastal system of the Mediterranean Sea. Gaza shore is considered as the only Palestinian drainage, and this is what gives it a great importance. If this shore get developed, it will be a great touristic location which attract the internal tourism, in addition to the tourism, this shore is a unique marine habitat for many species although, it is threatened to be destroyed because of the pollution that results from throwing the garbage in.
There are little regions in Gaza that stayed in its’ original and natural condition, and this is because its dispose to the continual destroying by the human. There are unique characteristics for Wadi Gaza.
This region is considered as the most important regions for the resident and emigrated bird in Palestine.
Wadi Gaza is considered from the regions where the water birds and the emigrant birds can be seen, some these species are internationally threatened currently, some of them reside in a short period in this region even in the summer period or the autumn period. The important birds that pass the region in large amounts are: the Glaucous Gull, which is registered about 2500 birds in January 1999. The Greater Flamingo was seen in January 1998, the Night Heron, the Shoveler, and the Great Cormorant reside in the region in the winter (it was registered 150 birds between Gaza port and the Common Snipe (20 couple)). The Crane bird was registered in previous time and its position is not known. The White Pelican passes the region during its emigration it was registered as a crossing bird, the Common Tern birds can be founded in large amount reach to 2000 birds some of them resident the other are emigrated birds, the Great Black-headed Gull exists in Dier Al-Balah shore.
Non-bird biodiversity: The plants of salty region from Solicornietae europea that turned to fresh regions plants.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Throwing garbage and sewage water to Wadi Gaza from the 1948 borders and also from the Israeli’s cities and companies and from the Palestinian cities.
The hunting during the autumn period.
The destruction of some parts of the area because of the instruction of the buildings, which is irregular and it is also built beside the valley and the shore.
The unjust grazing: there are large numbers of shepherd in this region.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Stop the partial destruction of Wadi Gaza and some of the shore region, which is considered a special place for the birds.
Regulation of the hunting specially the hunting of the emigrated birds that the people hunt in a large number.
Regulation of the grazing in Wadi Gaza region.
Make environmental survey for the region and identify its natural resources and put national strategy to use the area in the right way.
Replanting the area specially by using the original plants that are missed currently, they are considered as a basic resource for bird to come to the region.
Environmental awareness campaign for the Palestinian Society in Gaza Strip about the importance of Wadi Gaza shore and the biodiversity of this site has an internationally and locally importance.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wadi Gaza (Palestine). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wadi-gaza-iba-palestine on 23/11/2024.
