DaysofPal- The United Nations has warned that the Gaza Strip is facing severe contamination from unexploded ordnance left behind by widespread destruction during the genocide, a threat that has already claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people, about half of them children, while leaving many others with permanent disabilities.
During a press conference in Geneva on Friday, UN officials said remnants of war, including unexploded bombs, shells, and even scattered ammunition present across Gaza since October 7, 2023, pose a major obstacle to future reconstruction efforts.
According to a survey conducted by the United Nations Mine Action Service, more than 1,000 people have been killed by conflict-related explosive remnants. Julius van der Walt, the UN official overseeing mine action activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, said the actual number is likely much higher.
He noted that approximately half of the victims are children, underscoring the severe humanitarian impact of these remnants.
Narmina Strichinets of Save the Children expressed deep concern over the toll on children, citing earlier reports indicating that the use of explosive weapons has resulted in an average of around 475 children each month suffering life-altering injuries. She added that Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees in the world, reflecting the scale of the crisis.
Van der Walt said that while a comprehensive assessment of contamination has not yet been completed, available data points to extremely high levels of risk.
Specialized teams have identified more than 1,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance during field operations conducted over the past two and a half years, roughly one item every 600 meters, though this figure represents only what has been detected.
He emphasized that Gaza’s high population density significantly increases the danger. Even before the war, the territory was among the most densely populated areas in the world, and the destruction has effectively reduced available living space by nearly half, intensifying overcrowding.
A 50-Year Cleanup Operation
Explosive weapons have affected all parts of Gaza, including crowded refugee camps. Van der Walt cited a recent incident in which munitions remnants were discovered inside an inhabited tent, highlighting the constant risk faced by civilians.
He also warned that humanitarian convoys could trigger explosions while moving through contaminated areas, given the lack of full clearance.
UN estimates suggest that removing unexploded ordnance in Gaza could require up to $541 million under optimal conditions. However, the scale of contamination, particularly within vast areas of rubble, makes a precise and comprehensive assessment difficult.
The UN representative warned that the issue might last for decades, citing comparable post-conflict circumstances in other regions of the world and speculating that Gaza might have to deal with a hazardous and protracted legacy of war remnants.
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