Gaza: Palestinians in Gaza face constant danger from unexploded Israeli bombs and missiles, with local authorities unequipped to manage the threat, driving urgent appeals for international expertise to safely clear the deadly remnants. These remnants of war have become deadly time bombs, endangering civilians, particularly as displaced residents return to their homes, many of which lie in ruins or are surrounded by tents.
According to Qatar News Agency, estimates indicate that thousands of bombs and missiles launched by Israeli aircraft and artillery remain unexploded, scattered across destroyed homes, rubble, roads, and beneath demolished structures. Among them are so-called robots, Israeli armored vehicles laden with tons of explosives, planted in residential areas to cause massive destruction.
Official statistics in Gaza suggest that over the past two years of conflict, the Israeli military dropped more than 200,000 tons of explosives on the Strip. These include warplanes and helicopter missiles, artillery shells, barrel bombs, and other types of weaponry, some reportedly used for the first time, according to international and UN reports that describe Gaza as a testing ground for new Israeli arms.
Approximately 71,000 tons of unexploded ordnance and remnants are believed to remain, said Spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defense Mahmoud Basal. In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Basal noted that many of these war remnants have been found inside residential buildings, on roads, and in agricultural areas, making every rescue, cleanup, or recovery operation a life-threatening endeavor. He emphasized that rescue teams face real dangers, as any misstep could trigger an explosion, potentially killing civil defense personnel or civilians at the site.
A source from the Explosives Engineering Unit of Gaza's General Directorate of Police said that specialized teams have been working since the ceasefire to deal with war remnants and suspicious objects left behind by Israeli forces across all governorates of the Gaza Strip, using the limited resources available. The source told QNA's Gaza correspondent that recent days have witnessed several incidents involving explosions of suspicious objects and unexploded bombs, resulting in injuries, including among children who had unknowingly tampered with them.
The source urged citizens to exercise caution, monitor their children closely, and avoid approaching or handling any remnants or strange objects found among the rubble of destroyed buildings, stressing the importance of reporting such findings to the relevant authorities.