International explosives expert Nick Orr predicted that removing landmines and explosive materials from the Gaza Strip will take at least 20 to 30 years, unless there is a large-scale and rapid international engineering intervention. He added that searching for unexploded ordnance could take even longer to complete, describing Gaza as an “open minefield.”

According to United Nations data, at least 53 civilians have been killed in the Strip due to these hidden bombs as of last Wednesday, with hundreds more injured. However, the organization Humanity & Inclusion and other relief agencies believe that the UN figures are far below the actual numbers on the ground.