Palestine Seeks Int'l Cooperation To Clear Gaza's Unexploded Ordnance

RAMALLAH, Dec 31 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The Palestinian government said on Tuesday that it is partnering with international organisations to remove unexploded ordnance in Gaza, reported Xinhua.

Field surveys, marking of contaminated areas, and training of local personnel have already begun in Gaza, and the Palestinian Mine Action Centre is working to form a broad international coalition for the task once technical teams can operate in the enclave, read a government press statement.

However, Israeli authorities "are still not permitting the removal of remnants of war and are preventing the entry of equipment required to initiate the operation," read the statement.

The statement warned that more than 20,000 unexploded bombs remain in Gaza, posing a severe threat to civilians.

Palestinian organisations operating in Gaza reported that such ordnance has killed about 52 people and injured others since the outbreak of the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023. 

--BERNAMA-XINHUA