GAZA, Oct. 28 — The fragile landscape of Gaza is further marred by the devastating consequences of unexploded ordnance, which threaten to turn children’s play into tragedy. This stark reality came to life recently when twins Yahya and Nabila Shorbasi, just six years old, stumbled upon an explosive device while sifting through the debris of their destroyed home in Gaza City. The device detonated when they touched it, shattering the relative calm that followed a two-week ceasefire.
Abu Mohammed, their grandfather, recounted the harrowing moment when he heard the explosion. In a rush, he found the twins on the ground, injured and in shock. Yahya sustained the loss of his right hand, while Nabila suffered severe injuries. “Playing has become deadly,’ Mohammed reflected in a somber tone. “Even if war ends, the danger remains.”
This incident encapsulates a larger crisis, where remnants of war litter the Gaza Strip, posing significant risks to civilians. Although hostilities between Israel and Hamas have paused, the region is still fraught with dangers buried under the rubble, turning once vibrant neighborhoods into treacherous landscapes.
The threat extends beyond the Shorbasi family. In northern Gaza City, ten-year-old Ahmed was injured near his family’s temporary shelter when a metal object he mistook for a toy exploded. His mother, Salwa Hasanat, described the chaos of that day, recalling how she found her son unconscious, his hand severely damaged. “None of us realized these remnants were still lethal,” she said, highlighting a pervasive sense of vulnerability among families living in makeshift conditions.
Thirteen-year-old Samer Bahloul faced a similar fate. While playing near his tent, he encountered a seemingly innocent metal box that resulted in the loss of his left eye. “I thought it was something useful,” Samer said, sharing the unsettling revelation that his injury stemmed from a bomb fragment.
According to the United Nations Mine Action Service, more than 320 Palestinians have been injured or killed by unexploded devices since conflict escalated in October 2023. The Gaza Center for Human Rights, dedicated to monitoring violations, reports that upwards of 20,000 explosive remnants remain scattered across the territory.
The scale of devastation is immense, with estimates indicating 65 to 70 million tons of rubble generated from the destruction of homes and critical infrastructure, containing roughly 71,000 tons of explosives. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for local civil defense, emphasized the ongoing peril, stating, “Though fighting has ceased, the remnants of death linger in every part of this shattered land.”
Efforts to address this problem face significant hurdles, with engineers leading clearance initiatives encountering shortages of critical equipment and resources. Mohammed, an engineer involved in bomb removal operations, stated that they must prioritize immediate threats while leaving numerous areas unchecked, complicating their efforts. “We lack advanced detection devices and machinery. Sometimes, we resort to manual methods, which are slower but safer for nearby civilians,” he explained.
Stress and exhaustion weigh heavily on those tasked with the dangerous work. “There’s no respite or psychological support,” Mohammed shared. “We keep going because lives depend on us.”
Moreover, explosions are not just a physical risk; experts warn of environmental hazards posed by the remnants of war. Environmental engineer Saeed al-Aklouk highlighted concerns over how unexploded munitions contaminate soil and groundwater, jeopardizing agricultural lands and public health. The destruction of sewage systems has aggravated these issues, contributing to hazardous leaks that threaten the environment.
Cleanup efforts may take years, further delaying recovery and imposing long-term dangers on the the local population. Al-Aklouk emphasized the importance of international support and advanced technology, suggesting that without it, the task of addressing explosive hazards will remain incomplete for a significant time. As the people of Gaza navigate the aftermath of conflict, the specter of unexploded ordnance continues to loom, casting a long shadow over their future.