Gaza: At least 3,000 of Israel’s 45,000 bombs have not exploded

At least 3,000 of his bombs have not exploded. This assessment – a warning was made by the “Handicap International” organization. According to estimates of the “Handicap International” organization, at least 3,000 of the 45,000 Israeli bombs launched against the Gaza Strip, between 7 October and mid-January. “Among the 45,000 bombs, 3000 of them have not exploded and are those that will cause, at the time of return, when humanitarian aid should be distributed, an additional risk, especially for civilians,” Jean Pierre Deloyer told Radio France internationale. These figures constitute an assessment of Mine Action Area of responsiveness – a working group consisting of NGOs active in the region, including Handicap International – for the period between 7 October and mid-January, while the bombings continue in the Gaza Strip. Jean Pierre Delomeier, deputy director for the international operations of Handicap International, spent many days in Rafa, the Egyptian border, where 1.5 million Palestinians, in their majority displaced, have found refuge. It considers that only a cease-fire could give further “visibility” to Handicap International in order to “start mine-neutralisation operations without fear and restoration of soil from explosive war remains”. Since early March, Handicap International has sent for 15 days two experts in order to start assessing the needs of mine neutralisation in the Gaza Strip. In addition to access for the civilian population, this assessment will also “allow other humanitarian agencies to be able to develop in the areas in the northern part (…) which remain cut off from this humanitarian aid today,” Delomiere continued.