Hidden Danger in Gaza’s Rubble: Unexploded Bombs
The aftermath of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has left behind a deadly hidden threat—unexploded bombs. As Palestinians search through destroyed homes for belongings and loved ones, they risk triggering undetonated munitions buried beneath the wreckage.
War’s Deadly Legacy: UXO Risks in Gaza
Recent airstrikes and shelling have turned entire neighborhoods into hazardous zones. Rescue teams report finding unexploded artillery shells, missiles, and fragmentation bombs while recovering bodies from collapsed buildings.
Local explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) units face immense challenges due to:
– Limited resources – Outdated equipment and shortages of trained personnel.
– High-risk conditions – Bombs buried deep in unstable rubble.
– Lack of strike data – Israel has not shared detailed attack coordinates.
Civilian Casualties Rise from Accidental Explosions
At least 12 Palestinians, including children, have been killed or maimed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) since cleanup began. In one tragic case, a family in Gaza City triggered a hidden shell while salvaging belongings, killing two siblings.
Gaza’s Race Against Time to Clear UXO
With reconstruction efforts looming, the urgency to remove UXO grows. However:
– Gaza’s EOD teams are overwhelmed and under-equipped.
– UNMAS warns clearance could take decades without international support.
– No Israeli cooperation on identifying bomb locations.
Calls for Global Aid to Prevent More Deaths
Human rights groups demand:
✔ Strike maps from Israel to locate UXO hotspots.
✔ Funding for EOD training and protective gear.
✔ Psychological support for traumatized survivors.
Conclusion: Gaza’s Lingering War Scars
Unexploded bombs extend the war’s horror long after ceasefires. Without swift intervention, more civilians—especially children—will fall victim to these silent killers.
—NextMinuteNews, documenting conflict aftermaths and humanitarian crises.
