Key points
- Doctors warn of life-threatening injuries
- Health workers call UXOs a major threat
- UN reports 560 unexploded bombs in Gaza
GAZA: The Shorbasi family were sitting in their heavily damaged home in Gaza City, enjoying the relative calm of the ceasefire, when an explosion shattered the peace. Rushing outside, they found their six-year-old twins, Yahya and Nabila, lying injured.
According to AP News, the children had discovered a small round object while playing — it exploded when touched. “It was like a toy,” said their grandfather, Tawfiq Shorbasi, after they were taken to Shifa Hospital on Friday. “It was extremely difficult.”
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have returned to what remains of their homes since the ceasefire began on October 10. But dangers persist as civilians, including children, search through the rubble for belongings and lost relatives.
“We’ve just returned last week,” Shorbasi said tearfully. “Their lives have been ruined forever.” Yahya lay in hospital with bandaged limbs, while Nabila, treated at Patient’s Friends Hospital, had a bandaged forehead. Both had faces peppered with shrapnel wounds.
Life-threatening injuries
A British doctor treating them said the twins had life-threatening injuries — including a lost hand, broken bones, and severe internal damage. “Now it’s just a waiting game… I hope that they both survive,” said Dr Harriet, citing Gaza’s dire shortage of medicines.
Health workers warn unexploded ordnance poses a major threat. Two other children, Yazan and Jude Nour, were injured on Thursday while inspecting their home. Gaza’s Health Ministry said five children have been wounded by unexploded munitions in the past week. “This is the death trap,” said Dr Harriet. “We are talking about a ceasefire, but the killing has not stopped.”
Over 68,500 Palestinians have been killed in the war by Israel, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. UN experts warn the risk from unexploded devices is “incredibly high,” with 560 found during the ceasefire and 60 million tonnes of debris across Gaza.
