Gaza’s Hidden Killers: Explosive Hazards and Threats in the Ceasefire Aftermath
Gaza faces a growing crisis of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and explosive remnants of war (ERW) following both recent and historic bombardments. These persistent hazards remain one of the greatest threats to life and recovery long after the last munitions have fallen.
Scale and Type of Contamination
Since October 2023, Gaza’s cities, agricultural areas, and infrastructure have been contaminated by a wide range of munitions: deep-buried aerial bombs (including MK 82, MK 83, and MK 84), mortars, rockets, all-caliber artillery shells, grenades, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and cluster munitions—many of which are banned under international conventions due to their indiscriminate effects and longevity.
In accessible areas, more than 460 explosive items were located on the surface within the first months of clearance efforts. However, the majority remain hidden beneath rubble, collapsed buildings, or buried within infrastructure—posing ongoing, uncontrolled risk.
This danger is compounded by the degradation of Gaza’s local explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capabilities and limited access to specialist equipment due to border restrictions. The combination of scale, complexity, and constrained response capacity places the population at continued risk.
Persistent Impact on Recovery and Aid
UXO and ERW pose a constant hazard to civilians and responders. As of early 2025, at least 92 casualties have been officially reported, though the real figure is likely much higher as displaced populations return to contaminated zones. The presence of explosive threats blocks the safe movement of aid convoys, emergency services, and construction teams—severely impeding recovery operations and humanitarian assistance.
Infrastructure restoration, medical relief, and resettlement efforts are all hindered by the need for systematic survey and clearance. Children, in particular, face heightened vulnerability due to limited awareness and exposure in informal play areas.
A Comparable Challenge to Global Conflict Zones
The explosive hazard facing Gaza mirrors challenges observed in other post-conflict environments. Ukraine, Syria, and Iraq each continue to manage extensive contamination long after hostilities ended. In Laos, contamination from cluster munitions still affects communities decades after conflict, underlining the long-term nature of these risks.
What sets Gaza apart is the combination of high urban density, constrained access to clearance resources, and protracted humanitarian conditions—making the safe return to normality even more complex.
UNMAS Warnings and the Scale Ahead
According to UNMAS, Gaza’s current level of explosive contamination is among the most severe in modern conflict. Dozens of new casualties are recorded monthly. Historical figures already show more than 8,700 ERW items removed from Gaza in previous post-conflict periods. With fighting intensifying in 2023–2024, the current contamination far exceeds previous levels.
Conclusion
The ceasefire may pause active conflict, but it does not end the danger. UXO and ERW continue to shape Gaza’s future by restricting movement, halting reconstruction, and threatening lives.
Coordinated international response, investment in clearance capacity, and adherence to proven risk mitigation frameworks are now essential to enable safe recovery. Without it, the human, economic, and environmental toll will continue to grow—long after the world's attention has moved on.