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CHILDREN in the Gaza Strip face a "major" threat from unexploded munitions despite the ceasefire, the international Red Cross has warned after two youngsters were killed in explosions. The International Committee of the Red Cross said today that the unexploded shells and bombs scattered around the densely populated coastal strip represented "another major new danger" and could hamper much-needed aid. "Most children stayed at home during the past three weeks because there was no let-up in hostilities," said Imad Abou Hasirah of the ICRC. "Now that the fighting is over and they are venturing out into the streets again, they run the risk of being killed or maimed by these remnants of war."The two children were killed by previously undetonated munitions in the Shaaf area, near Jabaliya. "The fact that Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world makes the problem of unexploded munitions even more acute," said Antoine Grand, head of the ICRC office in Gaza."The contamination represents a major threat for the population and for rescue teams now working in the field. It could hold back the pace of humanitarian work," he said.The unexploded ordnance was "likely" to slow down the pace of recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, according to the Geneva-based organisation. More than 1300 people were killed and 5000 wounded in fighting during the recent Israeli army offensive, according to Gaza health ministry estimates.From correspondents in Geneva
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse
As in the days of Noah....
