UN: Debris in Gaza exceeds that in Ukraine
As Israel's attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip continue since October 7, striking reports continue to emerge from the region. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has drawn attention to the debris resulting from Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
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As of mid-April, UNMAS estimated that a total of 37 million tons of debris had been generated in the Gaza Strip, equivalent to 300 kilograms per square meter.
Mungo Birch, head of the UNMAS program for Palestinian territories, stated, "There is more rubble in Gaza than in Ukraine.
To put this into perspective, the front line in Ukraine is about 1,000 kilometers long, while Gaza is 40 kilometers long."
ASBESTOS DANGER
Birch noted that the danger of clearing debris in Gaza is not limited to unexploded ordnance, pointing to the possibility of exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos.
Estimating that there is over 800,000 tons of asbestos in the rubble in Gaza, Birch shared the view that, "This rubble is likely heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance, but other hazards in the rubble will make clearing it even more complex."
RESOURCES SOUGHT TO CLEAR GAZA
Birch stated that they would take precautions against unexploded ordnance and cancer-causing chemicals, emphasizing that they have currently secured 5 million dollars in funding for clearing Gaza, but that 40 million dollars will be needed for the next 12 months, and more than 100 million dollars for a full cleanup that would be safe for Gaza's population.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, nearly 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives as a result of Israel's attacks on Gaza since October 7. Women and children account for nearly 70 percent of these casualties.