Late last month, Charles (Mungo) Birch, the head of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in the Palestinian territories, issued a warning about the dangerous presence of unexploded ordnance in Gaza. The situation in Gaza has become increasingly alarming, particularly as civilians may eventually return to the northern areas of the enclave.

Birch recently spoke about the enormity of the issue and the efforts UNMAS is undertaking to address the problem. The scale of the problem in Gaza, in terms of mines and unexploded ordnance, is difficult to quantify due to the absence of a comprehensive assessment. However, it is estimated that Gaza is eighty-seven percent urbanized, making urban clearance a costly and time-consuming task.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme and U.N.-Habitat, there are approximately thirty-seven million tons of rubble, much of which is likely contaminated with explosive ordnance. The U.N. assumes that around ten percent of ordnance fails to function, and the heavy bombardment and fighting in certain areas of Gaza suggest significant levels of contamination.

Urban areas pose unique challenges for clearance operations due to the presence of hazardous materials such as asbestos, human remains, and chemicals from industrial processes. The process requires skilled technicians and is slow and laborious. In Gaza's situation, training Palestinians in explosive-ordnance disposal techniques is not feasible, making international staff necessary, adding to the cost of the operation.

The responsibility for rebuilding Gaza lies with various entities, including the United Nations Mine Action Service, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and commercial companies. Given the immense challenges involved, it is likely a collective effort will be required. However, the demand for international-trained manpower is increasing due to simultaneous conflicts in Ukraine, raising concerns about adequate resources.

To mitigate safety risks, UNMAS is prioritizing explosive-ordnance risk education (E.O.R.E.) to equip residents with knowledge and basic safety measures. In previous conflicts, UNMAS and NGOs used mass-media campaigns through social media and radio to disseminate messages on safe behavior. However, connectivity issues during the recent conflict hindered the effectiveness of these efforts.

Efforts to scale up face-to-face risk-education teams have been constrained by funding limitations. However, distribution of E.O.R.E. materials, such as leaflets, posters, and stickers, has been ongoing in shelters to reach the population.

The rebuilding process in Gaza remains uncertain, pending an accurate assessment of the ordnance contamination. A meeting hosted by the United Nations Development Program discussed the challenges of rubble removal, revealing estimates suggesting it could take fourteen years to clear the rubble, even with a hundred trucks dedicated to the task.

While UNMAS draws upon experience from operations in Mosul, Iraq, there is no recent event comparable in scale to Gaza's situation. Despite working in conflict areas such as Nigeria, Iraq, Cambodia, Somaliland, and Turkey, Birch emphasizes the unparalleled challenge facing Gaza.

The extent of damage in Gaza, particularly in the middle and northern areas, where the majority of the estimated thirty-seven million tons of rubble lies, is significant. The infrastructure and housing stock have been severely affected, creating a massive reconstruction challenge.

UNMAS continues to plan its response, focusing on fundraising, ensuring staff safety, and attempting to acquire dual-use equipment for clearance operations. Challenges lie ahead, with potential difficulties in obtaining the necessary equipment due to concerns over its potential military applications.

As the situation in Gaza remains volatile, the challenges posed by unexploded ordnance highlight the urgent need for international cooperation and support to ensure the safe and successful reconstruction of the devastated enclave.