Gaza, Palestine – The United Nations warned today of the growing dangers posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) scattered throughout the Gaza Strip, threatening the lives of civilians, especially children and aid workers.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted that the intense bombing over the past period has left behind large quantities of unexploded bombs. These bombs are scattered throughout residential neighborhoods and agricultural areas.
Which makes the return of the displaced and reconstruction almost impossible at the moment.
The organization called on the international community to take urgent action and provide technical and financial support for mine clearance operations. It also held the occupying authorities responsible for the humanitarian consequences resulting from the continued shelling of civilian areas.
The United Nations confirmed that Gaza has become “one of the most munition-contaminated areas in the world,” explaining that this calls for an urgent international response to protect the population and prevent a new catastrophe.
