Clearing unexploded bombs from Gaza may take 20 to 30 years, according to an official from the aid group Humanity & Inclusion. They describe the area as a dangerous “unmapped minefield. “
More than 53 people have died, and hundreds have been hurt due to remnants from the Israel-Hamas war, with estimates from aid groups suggesting the actual numbers may be much higher. A recent U. S.-brokered ceasefire has sparked hopes that cleanup efforts can begin amidst the rubble.
Nick Orr, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert, mentioned that while complete clearance will never be achieved, surface clearance could occur within a generation.
He is part of a team that will start identifying explosives next week in critical areas like hospitals and bakeries. Currently, aid groups lack full Israeli permission to begin the clearance or to import necessary equipment.
Orr emphasized the need for a temporary security force to enable humanitarian work in Gaza, supporting elements outlined in the ceasefire plan.
With information from Reuters