Unexploded Ordnance in Gaza Poses Ongoing Threat to Civilians

In Gaza City, 8-year-old Joud Ahmad Al Angar and his 12-year-old cousin, Zain Nour, were severely injured after an unexploded device they found in the rubble detonated. The boys had mistaken the device for something useful and brought it back to their tent, where it exploded upon being discarded. Both sustained shrapnel injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Al-Shifa Hospital.

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) estimates that between 5% and 10% of munitions fired into Gaza in the past two years have failed to detonate, leaving behind unexploded ordnance (UXO) that has killed at least 328 people. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, 24 individuals have been killed by such ordnance.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Civil Defense in Gaza, highlighted the pervasive nature of the threat, noting that UXOs are found in buildings, on roofs, and along roads. He emphasized the challenge of addressing the issue, stating that 90% of his colleagues capable of defusing these bombs have been killed in Israeli attacks.

Nick Orr, chief of operations for the nonprofit Humanity and Inclusion in Gaza, described the situation as unprecedented, comparing it to post-World War II cities like Berlin and London. He noted the immense challenge of clearing UXOs in such a densely populated area, estimating that it could take decades to fully address the contamination.

As residents return to their homes, the risk of encountering unexploded ordnance remains high. Humanitarian organizations are working to educate the population about these dangers and to implement measures to mitigate the threat. However, the scale of the problem presents significant obstacles to ensuring the safety of Gaza's inhabitants.