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UN mine-action chief in Gaza warns explosive ordnance is widespread, urges international support
Summary
The United Nations Mine Action Service told journalists that explosive ordnance across Gaza and the West Bank is killing and maiming civilians, with children disproportionately affected; the agency said it has identified nearly 1,000 dangerous items, has about 28 EOD officers in Gaza, and is seeking expanded access and support to scale clearance.
Julius Novolt, chief of the mine action program for the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), told a press briefing from Gaza that explosive ordnance contamination is widespread and is preventing civilians from safely returning home or restarting livelihoods.
"We have already identified nearly 1000 dangerous items during missions requested by humanitarian partners only," Novolt said, adding that that "equates to encountering explosive device every 600 meters in Gaza's small geographic size." He said nearly half of the verified victims of explosive ordnance are children and that casualty figures are likely underreported. Novolt also referenced a Save the Children report, noting its finding that…
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