Israel and Hamas have been engaged in conflict for the past two years, during which heavy bombardments from both sides have left Gaza City nearly destroyed. Israel carried out intense strikes targeting areas believed to harbor Hamas fighters, resulting in thousands of Palestinian casualties. Recently, under a peace framework involving U.S. President Donald Trump, both Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and begin searching through rubble for their belongings and loved ones.
The return to Gaza remains hazardous, as unexploded ordnance buried under the debris continues to pose a serious threat. Many Palestinians have been injured or killed while conducting search operations. Recently, two children were severely injured after mistaking an unexploded bomb for a toy, and the Gaza Health Ministry reported that five children were similarly injured last week. Since the beginning of the conflict, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has recorded 52 deaths and 267 injuries caused by unexploded explosives.
Heavy equipment arrives in southern and central Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/Uto1WPtSu6
— Global Insight Journal (@GlobalIJournal) October 26, 2025
Following the ceasefire, UNMAS has recovered approximately 560 unexploded bombs and is actively working to safely remove mines and other explosive devices. The organization warned that many more remain scattered across Gaza, and additional bomb disposal experts from other countries are expected to assist in clearing the remaining hazards. The two-year conflict has generated an estimated 60 million tons of rubble throughout Gaza, presenting a massive challenge for recovery and reconstruction efforts.