The Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor mentions that the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories are "contaminated with mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). The precise scope, scale and impact of the contamination is not known, but encompasses minefields, military-training zones and areas of confrontation where many explosive devices are left behind.”

The presence of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) continues to pose a high risk to civilians, particularly children, in the Gaza Strip. Following Israel’s 23-day assault on Gaza in 2008-2009, which resulted in more than 1,500 Palestinians killed and over 5,300 injured, the risk of UXOs became significantly higher.

A UN report released back in August 2009 shows than within only six months of the end of the deadly Israeli assault, 12 civilians were killed in UXO incidents, six of whom were children, and another 24 were injured, including four children.

Four years later, such incidents have not ceased. In fact, they have notably increased, following Israel’s second major assault on Gaza in recent years, Operation Pillars of Defense, which took place between Nov. 14 and Nov. 22, 2012.