Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal stated that more than 200,000 tons of explosives have been dropped on the Gaza Strip since the start of the offensive, with approximately 70,000 tons remaining as unexploded ordnance and other remnants of war, posing a constant threat to the lives of residents.
In statements to the Mondoweiss website, Bassal explained that about 90% of explosive ordnance disposal experts in the Gaza Strip have been killed, leading to a severe shortage of specialists capable of detecting and handling unexploded ordnance.
He added that the Civil Defense lacks the heavy equipment necessary to deal with highly explosive munitions, noting that the locations of many of these munitions remain unknown and are sometimes only discovered after being reported by residents.
Bassal warned of the widespread presence of war remnants among the rubble, in homes, and on the streets, explaining that they can take on seemingly ordinary forms, such as metal cans, juice cartons, and children’s toys, exposing residents to the risk of death or injury.
He noted that approximately 50 to 60 million tons of rubble in the Gaza Strip are believed to be contaminated with explosive remnants of war, adding a continuous danger to citizens and civil defense crews during search and rescue operations and rubble removal.
