Palestinian engineers have begun clearing explosives left behind by Israeli forces in areas they withdrew from in northern Gaza. Following Israel’s partial withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor on January 25, around 500,000 displaced Palestinians returned to the region, where many now live in makeshift tents atop the rubble of their homes.
Ali al-Nadi, an official at the Palestinian Ministry of Interior, said engineers are working nonstop to remove unexploded ordnance and improvised explosives, which pose a serious threat to civilians. Human rights groups have urged international support for demining efforts, warning that some explosives were allegedly hidden in humanitarian aid supplies.