Warning about widespread unexploded ordnance in Gaza

Anne-Claire Yish, director of Handicap International in the Palestinian territories, stated that estimates indicate nearly 70,000 tons of explosives have been dropped on Gaza since the start of the war on October 7, 2023.

She explained that the massive amount of rubble and the limited operational space make clearance efforts extremely hazardous.

In this context, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) emphasized that 5 to 10 percent of Israeli munitions remain unexploded, and the blockade of the Gaza Strip is preventing the entry of specialized equipment needed for mine-clearing teams.

The agency noted that three UN armored vehicles are still waiting at the border crossing for permission to enter, which is hindering efforts to secure and rebuild residential areas.