Unexploded ordnance buried in the devastated landscape of Gaza poses a significant risk of injury and death to thousands of returning residents, according to a warning issued by an aid organization. Simon Elmont, a demining expert affiliated with Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion, highlighted the staggering volume of munitions deployed during the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas over the past 15 months. He indicated that between nine and thirteen percent of bombs and shells typically fail to detonate upon impact, suggesting that tens of thousands of unexploded devices remain buried in the rubble.
Elmont described the contamination level in Gaza as “massive,” emphasizing that much of the ordnance is concealed beneath the surface and within the ruins. The recent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, effective January 19, has led to a delicate peace, yet it has also permitted hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and begin the daunting process of recovery.
Elmont expressed grave concerns over the potential for widespread casualties as people sift through rubble to reclaim personal belongings. He predicted numerous incidents that would result in injuries or fatalities, a sentiment underscored by a recent incident where a child was hospitalized after another child threw a grenade, mistaking it for a toy. “The potential is for hundreds, if not thousands, of incidents where people potentially are injured. And unfortunately, some of those injuries will be fatal,” Elmont cautioned.
The challenges of making Gaza safe from unexploded ordnance are compounded by the impossibility of evacuating residents from contaminated areas—Elmont noted there is “nowhere to move” the population. Additionally, the absence of a functioning governing authority or a security force to impose safety measures during clearance efforts complicates the situation further. “In Gaza, this is unique in that those don’t exist at the moment,” Elmont stated.
The recent hostilities in Gaza erupted on October 7, 2023, following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel. Official Israeli figures indicate that this initial assault resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, predominantly civilians. In response, Israeli military actions have reportedly led to the deaths of at least 48,181 individuals in Gaza, most of whom are also civilians, according to data from the territory’s health ministry, which is run by Hamas. The United Nations has deemed these figures reliable, underscoring the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
