Unexploded Bombs Littering Gaza Threaten Recovery for Decades, UN Warns

Gaza – The United Nations has issued a stark warning regarding the pervasive threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO) littering the Gaza Strip, highlighting its potential to derail recovery efforts for decades and continue claiming lives.

Since the commencement of hostilities following Hamas's October 7th attack, remnants of war, ranging from undetonated bombs to bullets, have become a grim reality for Gaza's inhabitants. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) reports that over 1,000 individuals have been killed due to "indirect conflict" – a consequence of these explosive remnants. Tragically, children constitute half of these casualties, underscoring the devastating impact on the most vulnerable.

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the evidence already suggests a high density of explosive ordnance contamination across the Gaza Strip

Julius Van der Walt, UNMAS chief for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, emphasized that the reported figures are likely a severe underestimation. Narmina Strishenets of Save the Children UK corroborated these findings, noting that in 2024 alone, explosive weapons in Gaza have caused an average of 475 children per month to suffer potentially lifelong disabilities, including amputations. Gaza now faces the grim distinction of having the "largest cohort of child amputees" globally.

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we have barely scratched the surface in understanding what is the level of contamination

While a comprehensive survey of the contamination remains challenging due to the ongoing conflict, initial assessments suggest a "high density of explosive ordnance" across the territory. UNMAS has identified over 1,000 items, implying a piece of ordnance roughly every 600 square meters in Gaza's densely populated landscape. This danger is amplified by Gaza's extreme population density, where war has further compressed living spaces. Humanitarian convoys face constant risks, and early recovery initiatives are effectively stalled before they can even commence.

From the perspective of Asharq Al-Awsat, this situation represents a critical humanitarian crisis layered upon an already devastating conflict. While international attention often focuses on the immediate casualties of airstrikes and ground fighting, the long-term, insidious danger posed by unexploded ordnance is a consequence that will haunt Gaza long after the current fighting ceases. The immense cost – estimated at $541 million in a best-case scenario – to clear these hazards highlights the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for sustained international support, not just for immediate relief but for the protracted process of making Gaza safe again. This is a problem that demands a dedicated, long-term strategy, far beyond the scope of current emergency responses.

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the largest cohort of child amputees