Gaza Faces Long Road to Recovery as Mines Claim Lives

The Gaza Strip is grappling with a perilous landscape littered with unexploded ordnance, resulting in the deaths of over 53 people and posing a significant challenge for recovery efforts. According to experts, including Nick Orr, an explosive ordnance disposal expert with the humanitarian organization Humanity & Inclusion, the area resembles a “horrific, unmapped minefield.” The ongoing conflict has left many areas dangerous, and the process of clearing these explosives could take between 20 to 30 years.

Orr, who has extensive experience in Gaza, highlights the severe difficulties in locating and neutralizing these hidden dangers. “If you’re looking at a full clearance, it’s never happening,” he stated, emphasizing that the remnants of war will remain a threat for generations. Current efforts focus on identifying explosives near critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and bakeries.

Humanity & Inclusion has mobilized a seven-member team to assess the extent of the contamination. As of now, they are seeking permission from Israeli authorities to safely remove and destroy the explosives they encounter. The organization aims to render the devices unusable, thereby preventing groups like Hamas from repurposing them.

The United Nations reports that the true toll of these hidden bombs may be underrepresented. With hundreds more injured, the actual impact could be far worse than documented. The UN Mine Action Service has called for a public awareness campaign in Gaza to inform civilians about the dangers of unexploded ordnance as they return to their homes in affected areas.

Clearing densely populated regions of landmines is a complex and time-consuming process. Historical examples illustrate the challenges involved. For instance, Mozambique took nearly 22 years to be declared mine-free in 2015 following its War of Independence and subsequent civil war. Similarly, in Vietnam, decades after the Fall of Saigon in 1975, approximately 18% of the country remains contaminated with unexploded ordnance, which has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives and left 60,000 injured since the end of the conflict.

As Gaza confronts the daunting task of clearing its landscape, the legacy of war continues to pose significant risks to the safety and well-being of its residents. The international community watches closely, recognizing that recovery from such devastation will require not only time but also substantial resources and commitment to ensure a safer future for the people of Gaza.