Gaza: Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert on huge challenges posed by contamination

Statement by Gary Toombs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expert for Humanity & Inclusion (HI)

“A recent report from The U.N. estimates that Gaza’s streets are now buried under more than 50 million tonnes of rubble. To put that into perspective, that’s equivalent to 400 Wembley Stadiums in a land mass that is only 41 kilometres long, 13 kilometres at its widest and about 5 kilometres at its narrowest and contains over 2 million residents. 

Satellite imagery reveals the staggering scale of devastation: an estimated 69% of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed, including more than 245,000 homes. Essential infrastructure has been annihilated, roads are impassable, electricity is shattered, water systems are in ruins, and nearly all hospitals are non-functional. 

The destruction is absolute, leaving Gaza on the brink of collapse.

This debris is not just an obstacle; it is a lethal and toxic mix, littered with unexploded ordnance, asbestos and other hazardous and toxic materials, as well as an unknown number of human cadavers. 

Displaced families and people trying to return home are particularly vulnerable to these dangers. When they return to their homes - which are damaged or destroyed - people will try and enter their house to reclaim their possessions. We know from other conflict zones like Mosul that this is when the risk is greatest. We also know that the number of injuries will increase as people try to return. We are especially concerned about the risk to children.

To help these communities live amongst this horror, Humanity & Inclusion teams are delivering risk education sessions, warning the population of the hazards and what to do if they think they see something suspicious. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education leaflets highlighting the risks have also been distributed, and an SMS campaign was sent out to over 8M people reminding them of best practices to adopt to protect oneself in the context of the conflict. These sessions are crucial as they provide information about the dangers caused by explosive remnants of war as well as instructing the public on how they can prepare and protect themselves, should they experience a direct or in-direct attack or see a suspect item they think could be dangerous.

Humanity & Inclusion’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists are supporting Inter Agency Missions by conducting explosive hazard assessments on routes and key infrastructure as well as accurately identifying, mapping, and marking the location of unexploded ordnance, a crucial task that aims to prevent further civilian casualties, reduce psychological trauma and enable post-war reconstruction efforts.

The level of contamination is difficult to estimate, but it is expected to be substantial, based on the huge level of destruction caused by explosive weapons and knowing that a percentage of ordnance fails to function as designed, as well as abandoned or stored ordnance which may be found, combined with the sheer intensity of fighting on the ground.  It presents a significant risk and unprecedented danger to the population in Gaza, it restricts movement and impacts the humanitarian response by limiting safe access and poses significant risk to life.

The contamination crisis in Gaza will not be resolved overnight. As ceasefire discussions progress, the need for a structured, long-term approach to mine action becomes increasingly urgent.

The entire population of Gaza are impacted and need urgent assistance.

Notes

Spokespersons:

• Interview available with Gary Toombs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expert for Humanity &Inclusion (HI)

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) has been working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 1996, providing rehabilitation, psychosocial support, access to education and adaptation of homes for people with disabilities. 

Since October 2023, HI's local teams have provided emergency medical care and psychological first aid, distributed hygiene kits and taught people how to stay as safe as possible from bombings and explosive contamination. 

Over the last 15 months, three HI employees have been killed during the conflict. HI's office in Gaza City and a storage warehouse have also been destroyed. 

HI is collecting donations to support its work in Gaza at: www.humanity-inclusion.org.uk/en/gaza-crisis