Gaza's Unexploded Ordnance Clearance May Take Up to 30 Years, Aid Group Warns
GENEVA - Clearing the surface of Gaza of unexploded ordnance will likely take between 20 to 30 years, according to an official with aid group Humanity & Inclusion, describing the enclave as a "horrific, unmapped minefield." More than 53 people have been killed and hundreds injured by lethal remnants from the two-year Israel-Hamas war, according to a UN-led database.
GENEVA: The monumental task of clearing Gaza of unexploded ordnance is estimated to span between 20 to 30 years, an official from the humanitarian organization Humanity & Inclusion has stated.
Nick Orr, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert with the group, likened the situation in Gaza to that of British cities post-World War Two, emphasizing both the scale and longevity of the clearance efforts required.
Over 53 fatalities and numerous injuries have been attributed to these remnants since the Israel-Hamas conflict concluded after a two-year period, according to a UN-led database, which aid organizations believe significantly underestimates the actual impact.
The recent ceasefire brokered by the United States has generated optimism that the extensive work of removing explosives from millions of tons of rubble can begin.
However, there are still obstacles to commence operations fully.
Aid groups such as Humanity & Inclusion have not yet been granted permission by Israel's COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) to initiate clearance operations or import necessary equipment.
COGAT has raised concerns about items with 'dual use' – those that could be employed for both civilian and military purposes.
To mitigate these risks, Orr explained that his organization is seeking permission to import supplies that would allow bombs to be burned away rather than detonated.
In addition, Orr voiced support for the establishment of a temporary security force within Gaza, akin to what was envisioned in the 20-point ceasefire plan, which would enable humanitarian operations to proceed safely.
The challenges ahead are vast, but efforts to secure an enabling environment that will allow clearance work to commence persist.
The prospect of a 'small chipping away' at this substantial problem over generations reflects both the immense scale and the enduring nature of the task confronting Gaza.
Nick Orr, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert with the group, likened the situation in Gaza to that of British cities post-World War Two, emphasizing both the scale and longevity of the clearance efforts required.
Over 53 fatalities and numerous injuries have been attributed to these remnants since the Israel-Hamas conflict concluded after a two-year period, according to a UN-led database, which aid organizations believe significantly underestimates the actual impact.
The recent ceasefire brokered by the United States has generated optimism that the extensive work of removing explosives from millions of tons of rubble can begin.
However, there are still obstacles to commence operations fully.
Aid groups such as Humanity & Inclusion have not yet been granted permission by Israel's COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) to initiate clearance operations or import necessary equipment.
COGAT has raised concerns about items with 'dual use' – those that could be employed for both civilian and military purposes.
To mitigate these risks, Orr explained that his organization is seeking permission to import supplies that would allow bombs to be burned away rather than detonated.
In addition, Orr voiced support for the establishment of a temporary security force within Gaza, akin to what was envisioned in the 20-point ceasefire plan, which would enable humanitarian operations to proceed safely.
The challenges ahead are vast, but efforts to secure an enabling environment that will allow clearance work to commence persist.
The prospect of a 'small chipping away' at this substantial problem over generations reflects both the immense scale and the enduring nature of the task confronting Gaza.
