It could take 10 years to clear unexploded bombs from Gaza, UN warns
Unexploded missiles and tank shells were pictured lying in the rubble in Gaza City, Gaza on Wednesday [Abood Abu Salama/Anadolu]
The UN has warned that it could take up to 10 years to clear unexploded bombs and land mines from Gaza, complicating the region’s recovery after 15 months of conflict.
According to the UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, one of the major hurdles to rebuilding Gaza is the vast amount of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left behind in the aftermath of the war.
A recent report by the Global Protection Cluster, which includes the UN and other humanitarian organizations, estimates that clearing these explosives will cost $500 million and take a decade.
The rubble left behind contains an alarming mix of hazardous materials, including asbestos, human remains, and other dangerous contaminants, all of which must be carefully removed to ensure the safety of civilians and allow for reconstruction efforts.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 47,107 Palestinians and wounded 111,147 since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks and more than 200 were taken captive.
