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UN: 42 million tons of rubble and explosives threaten civilians in Gaza
In the Gaza Strip, more than 42 million tons of rubble and a large concentration of explosive remnants pose a constant threat to civilians. This was reported by the UN, which complains about the restrictions on the entry of specialized personnel and equipment, as well as the conduct of explosive ordnance disposal activities. According to the United Nations Development Programme, in addition to explosive remnants of war, highly carcinogenic asbestos released into the air due to widespread infrastructure destruction, as well as other contaminants, will continue to affect communities in Gaza for a long time to come . The UN recalls that the latest analysis by the United Nations Satellite Center, conducted in early September, showed that more than 65% of all structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Furthermore, the United Nations Mine Action Service, working in the field, paints an alarming picture of the risk associated with explosive devices.
The five governorates of Gaza are at risk of contamination both above and below the surface of the earth, due to dropped munitions (shells, mortars, rockets, missiles, grenades and landmines), but also deeply buried bombs, as well as caches of weapons and ammunition. Although there is a critical need to immediately intensify action against mines, the UN highlights, the restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on the entry of specialized personnel and equipment essential for the disposal of explosive devices, as well as the specific regulations that prevent carrying out disposal activities, continue to hinder efforts to protect populations. Currently, specialized teams can only mark and report explosive remnants of war, rather than move or dispose of them safely, as well as the fact that administrative barriers, such as registration difficulties for mine action organizations and delays in issuing visas, they continue to delay sending technical specialists. Finally, the UN reiterates that these restrictions concern all humanitarian activities and recalls that for almost a month, all attempts by humanitarian organizations to deliver food to residents of the besieged areas in the northern governorate of Gaza have been blocked by the Israeli authorities.
