Aid efforts in Gaza escalate, as risk from deadly unexploded ordnance grows
January 29, 2025
Gaza City, Gaza Strip – Aid agencies are scaling up their operations in the Gaza Strip in the wake of the recent escalation of violence, as the risk from unexploded ordnance (UXO) grows.
The Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza in response to rocket fire from Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the territory. The strikes caused widespread damage to homes, schools, and hospitals, and left behind a large number of unexploded bombs and rockets.
UXO is a major threat to civilians in conflict zones, as it can explode at any time, causing serious injuries or death. Children are particularly vulnerable to UXO, as they are more likely to be curious and unaware of the dangers.
“The risk of UXO is very high in Gaza right now,” said Adnan Abu Hasna, a spokesperson for the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). “We are urging people to stay away from any suspicious objects, and to report them to the authorities immediately.”
UNMAS is working with other aid agencies to clear UXO from Gaza. The agency has deployed a team of experts to the territory, and is working with local partners to train volunteers to identify and report UXO.
The escalation of violence in Gaza has also led to a surge in the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance. The United Nations estimates that more than 2 million people in Gaza are now food insecure, and that more than half of the population is dependent on aid for their survival.
Aid agencies are working to provide food, water, shelter, and medical care to those in need. The World Food Programme (WFP) is distributing food rations to more than 1 million people, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is providing water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies to more than 500,000 people.
The Israeli military has imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007, which has severely restricted the movement of people and goods into and out of the territory. The blockade has made it difficult for aid agencies to deliver assistance to Gaza, and has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the territory.
The international community has called on Israel to lift the blockade and allow aid agencies to deliver assistance to Gaza. The United Nations Security Council has also called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for the resumption of peace talks.
Aid efforts in Gaza escalate, as risk from deadly unexploded ordnance grows
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