Watan-The United Nations has warned of the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the massive amount of rubble left behind by the Israeli war over the past 15 months. It confirmed that these threats continue to endanger civilian lives and hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid, despite the ceasefire in Gaza.
Luke Irving, Director of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stated that over the past 14 months, UNMAS has encountered a variety of explosive munitions, including air-dropped bombs, mortars, rockets, projectiles, grenades, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The UN News website quoted the official as saying:
“Explosive munitions have led to the death and injury of civilians in Gaza and threaten the ability to conduct humanitarian work safely.”
Rising Casualties from Unexploded Ordnance
According to preliminary data, at least 92 people have been killed or injured by explosive remnants since October 2023.
Irving noted that since the ceasefire began, UNMAS has received unofficial reports of civilians finding unexploded ordnance in their homes. Humanitarian convoys have also been encountering more such materials as they gain access to areas that were previously inaccessible.
He added that there is no clear number of people who have been killed or injured by unexploded munitions so far. However, he cited “unconfirmed reports” of 24 casualties since the ceasefire began—an average of more than two people per day.
UN Efforts to Reduce Explosive Threats
Irving said that UNMAS has focused on expanding its response efforts and ensuring that people know how to navigate areas with explosive threats, especially when returning to their homes. He stated that the agency escorts humanitarian convoys along high-risk routes and conducts risk assessments in different areas to determine their safety.
Unprecedented Rubble and Ownership Challenges
The UN News website also highlighted the unprecedented amount of rubble in Gaza and the challenges of verifying property ownership due to the massive destruction caused by Israeli attacks.
Citing various UN and international organizations, the report stated that the enormous volume of rubble from the war and the use of explosive weapons in Gaza pose serious risks to both human health and the environment.
The report indicated that:
- The rubble from this war exceeds that of previous wars in Gaza since 2008.
- The scale of destruction is unprecedented not only in quantity but also in terms of:
- Damage to housing
- Geographical spread and density
- Rate at which rubble is generated
- High levels of expected contamination by unexploded ordnance
- Asbestos exposure risks, especially in refugee camps
The report further emphasized that these challenges are exacerbated by critical issues related to housing, land, and property rights, including:
- Verifying ownership
- Loss and recovery of housing and land documents
- Obtaining owners’ consent for rubble removal
- Securing permits from landowners for rubble disposal
- Addressing disputes over the ownership of cleared rubble
- The loss of clear property boundaries due to destruction
Mental Health Crisis in Gaza
During a media briefing on health emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Balkhi, WHO Regional Director, expressed hope that the ceasefire in Gaza would lead to a permanent end to hostilities.
She shared the words of a Palestinian boy from Gaza named Ashraf, who told her:
“We hope the ceasefire is real… Don’t let us down like every time before.”
Dr. Balkhi pointed to the severe psychological trauma affecting the people of Gaza, stating:
“Everyone in Gaza is living in grief. They have endured unimaginable violence, spent months without adequate food and water, and spent many nights under relentless drone strikes.”
She stressed that the suffering has resulted in deep collective trauma with long-term effects that cannot yet be fully understood. Addressing mental health support, she confirmed that it is a key focus of WHO’s humanitarian response in Gaza.
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