Gaza: “Every Gazan person is now living in a horrific unmapped minefield”

Total devastation across Gaza

More than 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed; the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed. Essential infrastructure has been annihilated, roads are impassable, electricity is shattered, water systems are in ruins, and nearly all hospitals are non-functional. 

The destruction is absolute. 

The exact level of contamination is difficult to estimate, but it is expected to be substantial, based on the huge level of destruction caused by explosive weapons and knowing that a percentage of ordnance fails to function as designed, as well as abandoned or stored ordnance which may be found, combined with the sheer intensity of fighting on the ground.

In January, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) estimated that ‘10-12%’ of the munitions fired at Gaza had not exploded.

“Every Gazan person is now living in a horrific unmapped minefield. The UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) is everywhere. On the ground, in the rubble, under the ground, everywhere.” says Nick Orr, Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert for Humanity & Inclusion in Gaza.

Deadly contamination and technical challenges

“The risks associated with unexploded ordnance in Gaza are huge: it is estimated that around 70,000 tons of explosives have fallen on the Gaza Strip since the start of the conflict. The layers of rubble are considerable, in an extremely dense and confined environment. It will make reconstruction particularly complex. Locating and identifying one bomb under the rubble, securing the site, and neutralizing it will take months, especially in an environment as complex as Gaza, with its urbanisation and population density. And that is for a single bomb… It will pose considerable technical challenges. Contamination from unexploded ordnance will continue to pose a daily deadly threat to residents for a long time.” Explains Anne-Claire Yaeesh, Country Director for Humanity & Inclusion in the occupied Palestinian territories.

This debris is not just an obstacle; it is a lethal and toxic mix, littered with unexploded ordnance, asbestos and other hazardous and toxic materials, as well as an unknown number of human cadavers.

Trying to return home amid extreme danger

“We know that after the ceasefire is the most dangerous time as displaced families and people who are trying to return home are particularly vulnerable to the dangers posed by unexploded Ordnance. When they return to their homes - damaged or destroyed - people will try and enter to reclaim their possessions. We know from other conflict zones like Mosul that this is when the risk is greatest. We also know that the number of injuries will increase as people try to return.” says Nick

“Under the current ruling, we as Explosive Disposal Operators are not allowed to neutralise UXO in any way." he adds.

" The UXO contamination is vast, we must educate the communities. Their lives are now entwined with the presence of UXO and will be for a generation. We are teaching people how to live with lethal threat in their homes.  There is no other solution right now, education is the greatest weapon we have against UXO. We are especially concerned about the risk to children. To help these communities live amongst this horror, Humanity & Inclusion teams are delivering risk education sessions, warning the population of the hazards and what to do if they think they see something suspicious. These sessions are crucial as they provide information about the dangers, how to recognise UXO, as well as instructing the public on how they can prepare and protect themselves.” explains Nick.

Clearing Gaza will take generations

Humanity & Inclusion’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists are preparing to support humanitarian organisations by conducting explosive hazard assessments on routes and key infrastructure, including to ensure humanitarian actors can do their job as safely as possible.

The team’s role will mainly be to accurately identify, map, and mark the location of unexploded ordnance, a crucial task that aims to prevent further civilian casualties, reduce psychological trauma and enable post-war reconstruction efforts.

“It will take more than 30 years to clear the surface of Gaza and make it safe, then we will continue to find UXO buried in the ground for the next two generations at least. When you think about the UK and Europe, we are still finding UXO from World War two.” says Nick.

The entire population of Gaza are impacted and need urgent assistance.

Notes

Spokespersons available for interviews: 

• Nick Orr, Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert for Humanity & Inclusion in Gaza.
• Anne-Claire Yaeesh, Country Director for Humanity & Inclusion in the occupied Palestinian territories.