Authorities in Gaza have appealed for urgent international assistance to clear thousands of unexploded munitions scattered across the territory after two years of relentless bombardment. Despite the current lull in fighting, the threat to civilians remains severe, with unexploded shells, buried explosives, and landmines littering neighbourhoods, roads, and residential areas.

Civil defence officials warn that children and families returning to damaged homes face grave danger, as remnants of the war continue to claim lives long after the air raids have stopped. Explosives experts caution that full clearance could take decades. Nick Orrin, a specialist with an international demining organisation, estimated that removing all hidden munitions may require between 20 and 30 years due to the scale of destruction and ongoing restrictions on essential equipment.

The contamination level in Gaza is now considered among the highest in the world, with vast areas rendered unsafe for habitation or reconstruction. Officials have called on the United Nations and global partners to accelerate mine clearance operations before more lives are lost. The challenge, they warn, is not only technical but humanitarian, ensuring that communities can rebuild safely after enduring one of the most destructive wars in recent memory.