Every year, the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict reminds us to consider the often-neglected aspect of environmental toll that military actions take on our ecosystems, climate, and community health. Sadly, the war on Gaza stands as a striking example. The recent heavy bombardments by the Israeli military forces have left severe and lasting mark on the region’s ecosystems, contaminating water, soil, and air. Despite this, even with growing awareness and several side events organized mostly by civil society, official discussions at COP28 have largely missed the crucial issue of emissions from military actions and conflicts.