Aid Efforts in Gaza Escalate, as Risk from Deadly Unexploded Ordnance Grows
Gaza City, Gaza Strip – January 29, 2025
International aid efforts in the Gaza Strip are escalating amid growing concerns over the deadly risks posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) left behind by recent hostilities.
Following the latest round of violence between Israel and Hamas, thousands of unexploded bombs, rockets, and other explosive devices remain scattered throughout Gaza, posing a grave threat to civilians and humanitarian workers.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), an estimated 2,000 tons of UXO are believed to be in Gaza, with hundreds more being discovered each day. The devices include both large-caliber artillery shells and small-arms ammunition, which can detonate unexpectedly and cause widespread injuries or death.
“The presence of UXO is creating a deadly barrier to humanitarian assistance,” said Matthias Schmale, Director of Operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza. “Families are unable to return home safely, and aid workers are facing significant risks while trying to reach those in need.”
The escalation in aid efforts is being led by a consortium of international organizations, including the UN, the Red Cross, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). These groups are working to clear UXO, provide medical assistance, and distribute essential supplies to affected communities.
“We are scaling up our operations to meet the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for OCHA. “We are deploying additional staff, equipment, and resources to support our partners on the ground.”
However, the clearance of UXO is a slow and dangerous process. It requires specialized equipment and trained personnel, who must carefully search for and detonate the devices. The presence of booby-traps and the unstable nature of the unexploded ordnance further complicate the task.
“We are doing everything we can to minimize the risks, but accidents can still happen,” said Michael Page, a UXO clearance expert with MSF. “It’s a constant battle against time, and we have to be vigilant at every step.”
The international community has condemned the use of explosive weapons in civilian areas, which violates international humanitarian law. The UN has called for an immediate ceasefire and a political solution to the conflict in Gaza.
“These deadly remnants of war must be cleared immediately to protect innocent lives,” said António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. “We urge all parties to cooperate fully with humanitarian organizations to ensure the safe and unimpeded delivery of aid to the people of Gaza.”
As the aid efforts intensify, residents of Gaza are expressing both gratitude and frustration.
“We are grateful for the help that we are receiving, but we are also angry that we have been put in this situation in the first place,” said Mahmoud Abu Raed, a resident of Gaza City who lost his home in an airstrike. “Innocent people should not have to suffer because of war.”
The escalating aid efforts in Gaza underscore the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict and a commitment to the protection of civilians. As long as violence continues, the people of Gaza will continue to face the deadly risks posed by unexploded ordnance.
Aid efforts in Gaza escalate, as risk from deadly unexploded ordnance grows
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