Geneva, Dec. 4 (SANA) The United Nations warned that explosive ordnance contamination in the Gaza Strip has reached “extremely massive” levels following the ongoing Israeli assault, posing serious risks to civilians and hampering reconstruction efforts.
Julius Van Der Walt, head of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said at a press conference in Geneva that unexploded ordnance scattered across Gaza’s destroyed neighborhoods threatens civilians and obstructs the delivery of humanitarian aid relied upon by the Strip’s 2.1 million residents.
“The ongoing contamination makes relief operations, early recovery, and reconstruction highly dangerous,” Van Der Walt said.
He added that the harsh conditions caused by the Israeli offensive are pushing thousands of families toward unsafe areas, increasing their exposure to explosive hazards. Children are among the most vulnerable.
Van Der Walt noted that many families have no choice but to remain in areas suspected of contamination due to the destruction of entire neighborhoods and the lack of safe refuge zones. Around 400 people in Gaza were affected last year by incidents involving unexploded ordnance, he said, adding that the number appears limited compared to other countries but is proportionally high relative to Gaza’s population, similar to Syria during the era of the former regime.
UNMAS has expanded its operations to engage more civilian communities, aiming to identify hazardous locations and develop response plans. The program also seeks to address the psychological and social impact of explosive hazards and to remove inert materials and objects that could resemble explosives, Van Der Walt said.
He added that specialized equipment, some not yet available, is required to operate safely in Gaza’s complex and heavily damaged environment.
Regarding the West Bank, Van Der Walt said rising Israeli attacks increase the risk of explosive ordnance contamination, which is present in camps, urban centers, and rural areas alike. UNMAS is coordinating with Palestinian authorities and local organizations to support a national mine-action response.
Gaza has been under a large-scale Israeli assault since Oct. 7, 2023, including air and artillery strikes and ground operations that killed thousands of civilians and caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, homes, and essential facilities. More than one million people have been displaced, leaving many areas in rubble and scattered with unexploded ordnance.
UN agencies and international organizations have repeatedly stressed that clearing explosive remnants is a prerequisite for safe reconstruction, noting that the scale of destruction and types of weapons used make the process complex and potentially years-long.
