:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/4GFNBCAOCJFI5ONALWGGWIPKMY.jpg "clearing the area of explosives would take 14 years")
The United Nations Mine Action Service (Unmas) reported this Sunday that the Gaza Strip would not be cleared of unexploded ordnance and munitions within 14 years.
At a press conference in Geneva, the head of the organization’s Mines Program explained that the destruction caused by Israeli bombing has so far left some 37 million tons of debris in a highly urbanized and densely populated territory.
Pehr Lodhammar clarified that it is impossible to determine the exact amount of unexploded ordnance in Gaza after almost seven months of intense Israeli attacks; However, the high commissioner estimated that it would take about 14 years for Gazans to be safe from such explosives.
Agencies
Cyprus says ships returning from Gaza with around 240 tonnes of undelivered aid after attack
The expert explained that each square meter of Gaza hit by the conflict contains about 200 kilograms of debris.
“We know that at least 10% of the ammunition that is fired does not work. If there were 100 trucks we would be talking about 14 years of work of 750,000 person-days to collect the debris,” he said.
War. Israeli troops withdraw from Gaza hospital after two weeks of assault, Palestinians say
Investigation
Meanwhile, the UN Internal Oversight Office reported that it is investigating 19 employees of the UN Refugee Agency (UNRWA) following Israeli accusations that they were involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.