UN: Israel’s Gaza war left 7,000 unexploded ordnance

A United Nations official said the Israeli recent war on Gaza Strip left nearly 7,000 unexploded ordnances and demanded for them to be defused as a result.

The U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for the Palestinian territories, James Rawley demanded Wednesday during a ceremony in Khan Younis, south Gaza Strip that Gaza Strip be free of unexploded ordnance to have a safe community. The ordnances also make it difficult for international organizations to operate efficiently.

Meanwhile, UNRWA Director of Operations in Gaza, Robert Turner said that his organisation in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service, UNMAS have been working to get rid of suspicious objects.

“Gaza Strip continues to suffer from suspicious objects and many of them that are difficult to deal with” he said.

Turner pointed out that landmines left during the Israeli recent war pose a threat to citizens and children in schools.

He called to support Gaza Strip in the field of mine action.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, Palestinian artist Mohammed Assaf said that Gaza Strip lives under harsh conditions due to the Israeli siege imposed for eight consecutive years.

Assaf demanded in his speech to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and to allow Palestinians living there to live in safety and security.

Several Palestinians are reported to have been killed across the Gaza Strip due to unexploded ordnances that litter the enclave.