Although the sounds of explosions and aircraft have ceased, the danger in Gaza remains undiminished. It has now taken on a more insidious form, as thousands of unexploded bombs and shells lie concealed among the ruins of destroyed homes and cleared fields, presenting a daily threat to civilians, particularly children, who face an unseen peril. In a devastated neighborhood in northern Gaza, as displaced families begin to return home following a ceasefire, a boy named Mahmoud Al-Fara was playing with his friends near his family’s ruined house. Unbeknownst to Mahmoud, the metallic object he picked up from the debris was an unexploded cluster bomb, transforming a moment of play into tragedy when it severely injured him, resulting in the loss of several fingers.
Mahmoud’s story reflects a recurring reality in various areas of the region, where children’s curiosity combined with a lack of safe spaces creates a dangerous mix that puts them at greater risk of injury or death due to the unexploded ordnance scattered among the rubble. Over the past two years, Gaza has endured relentless bombardment, leaving a heavy legacy of unexploded munitions, including aerial bombs, artillery shells, ground-launched rockets, and cluster munitions. Local engineering teams estimate that thousands of unexploded bombs may be scattered across residential, agricultural, and infrastructural areas; some are buried under rubble or hidden underground, making their discovery a highly perilous and complex task. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, revealed that they have detected explosive devices hidden in soda cans left behind by Israeli forces, designed to detonate upon contact. He also mentioned that teams have found explosive materials resembling cheese, which civilians might mistakenly believe to be food remnants.
Equipment Shortages
Basal further stated that the northern regions, such as Jabalia and Beit Lahiya, have been the hardest hit due to the extensive bombardment, while Khan Younis and Beit Hanoun have also experienced significant destruction, increasing the likelihood of unexploded ordnance in those areas. He explained that local engineering and bomb disposal teams are operating under critically limited resources, with a workforce that does not match the scale of the devastation. The lack of advanced equipment and detection devices hinders thorough surveying and clearance efforts, as many areas cannot be deemed safe until they undergo complete inspections, a process that could take months or even years, highlighting the urgent need for international support and advanced technology.
Danger
Unexploded ordnance not only presents an immediate threat to lives but also leaves long-term environmental and social impacts. Contaminated agricultural areas become no-go zones that are difficult to reclaim or cultivate, jeopardizing food security for thousands of families who rely on farming as their main livelihood. In light of the slow demining efforts, community awareness campaigns have emerged as the first line of defense to reduce human casualties, especially among children. Local and international organizations have begun implementing field awareness programs to educate children and parents about the characteristics of suspicious objects, the importance of not touching or approaching them, and the need to report such items immediately.