What's happened
Following a ceasefire in Gaza, children have been injured by unexploded ordnance while returning to their homes. Two twins, Yahya and Nabila, suffered life-threatening injuries after discovering a device that detonated. Over the past week, five children have been wounded by unexploded ordnance, amid ongoing dangers despite the ceasefire.
What's behind the headline?
The current situation highlights the persistent danger of unexploded ordnance in Gaza, which remains a deadly threat despite the ceasefire. The injuries to children Yahya and Nabila underscore the ongoing risks faced by civilians, especially as they return to their homes. The widespread destruction and lack of medical supplies compound the crisis, making recovery uncertain. The high casualty figures and warnings from UNMAS suggest that the danger will persist long after active hostilities cease. This situation exposes the fragile nature of the ceasefire, which, while halting large-scale military operations, does not address the underlying hazards left behind. The international community's focus on rebuilding must now include demining efforts and medical aid to prevent further tragedies. The story also reveals the human toll of the conflict, emphasizing that even in moments of calm, danger lurks beneath the surface, threatening the lives of the most vulnerable.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports on the tragic injuries of children Yahya and Nabila, emphasizing the ongoing threat of unexploded ordnance and the return of Palestinians to their damaged homes. The article highlights the dangers faced by civilians, especially children, amid the fragile ceasefire and ongoing conflict. The Independent provides additional context, noting that five children have been wounded by unexploded devices over the past week, and describes Gaza as a 'death trap' where the risk remains high despite the ceasefire. Both sources agree that the situation is dire, with over 68,500 Palestinians killed and ongoing hazards from unexploded ordnance. The UN's warning about the high explosive risk underscores the severity of the threat, which continues to threaten lives even as hostilities pause.
How we got here
The ceasefire in Gaza began on October 10, after intense Israeli military operations and a deal between Israel and Hamas. Many Palestinians have returned to their damaged homes, but the risk of unexploded ordnance remains high. Gaza's ongoing conflict has resulted in over 68,500 Palestinian deaths, with many civilians and children caught in the violence. UNMAS warns that explosive risks are still severe as displaced populations return to vacated areas.
Go deeper
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Gaza City, often simply called Gaza, is a city in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, and the capital of the Gaza Governorate. Located on the Mediterranean coast, 76.6 kilometres (47.6 mi) southwest of Jerusalem, it was home to Palestine's only port. With a popula
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Unexploded ordnance, unexploded bombs, and explosive remnants of war are explosive weapons that did not explode when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation, sometimes many decades after they were used or discarded.