Relief Organization: Cleaning Up Gaza's Surface from Bombs Will Take Up to 30 Years

SadaNews - It is expected that clearing the surface of Gaza from unexploded ordnance will take between 20 and 30 years, according to an official from the relief organization "Humanity and Inclusion," describing the sector as a "horrific minefield," as reported by Reuters.

More than 53 people have died and hundreds have been injured due to remnants of lethal munitions from the two-year war between Israel and "Hamas," according to a database managed by the United Nations, which relief organizations believe significantly underestimates the actual number.

This month's U.S.-brokered ceasefire has raised hopes for the start of the massive task of removing these remnants amid millions of tons of rubble.

Nick Orr, an explosives disposal expert at "Humanity and Inclusion," said, "If we are talking about complete clearance, that will never happen; the munitions are underground. We will find them for generations to come." He added, "As for surface clearance, it is something that can be achieved within a single generation; I think it will take 20 to 30 years." He continued, "It will be just a very minimal effort, but it addresses a very large problem."

Orr, who has visited Gaza several times during the conflict, is part of a seven-person team from his organization that will begin identifying wartime debris next week in essential infrastructure such as hospitals and bakeries.

However, he stated that relief organizations, including his, currently do not have a comprehensive Israeli permit to start work on removing and destroying munitions, nor to import the necessary equipment.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, which is the Israeli military's unit overseeing aid to Gaza, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel prohibits the entry of materials it deems "dual-use" – both civilian and military – into Gaza.

Orr stated that he is seeking permission to import supplies to burn the bombs instead of detonating them, in order to alleviate concerns about them being reused by "Hamas."

He expressed support for a temporary force in the sector, as outlined in the 20-point ceasefire plan, according to Reuters.