Summary
In the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), women, men, girls and boys live and work in communities threatened by minefields and explosive remnants of war (ERW). The precise scope, scale and impact of the contamination is not known. Since the beginning of the Intifada, the mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) problem has increased, encompassing minefields, military training zones and areas of confrontation, where many explosive devices are left behind. Further hazards exist as a result of Operation Cast Lead, conducted from 27 December 2008 to 18 January 2009.
There has been little clearance of mines and ERW in recent years, although the UN Mine Action Team (UNMAT) in Gaza has been trying to address contamination resulting from the latest conflict. To enhance coordination and response, the Palestinian Mine Action Committee (PNMAC) was established in 2002.
There is no comprehensive data collection mechanism in oPt, but data is collected by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), the Palestinian Police, and some international and local organizations. Between 1999 and 2008, at least 794 casualties from mines, ERW and victim-activated improvised explosive devices (127 killed, 654 injured and 13 unknown) were identified by international researchers. Defense for Children International's (DCI) Palestine Section recorded more than 2,500 mine and ERW casualties occurring between 1967 and 1998. Since the recent conflict in Gaza, 12 people have been killed and 27 injured due to UXO-related accidents.
From 1999 to 2008, mine and ERW risk education activities have been provided in the West Bank and Gaza mainly through school-based activities and public information dissemination. After Operation Cast Lead, specific emergency risk education activities were carried out. There have been no specific mine and ERW victim assistance activities in oPt, and access to health services continues to deteriorate, particularly in Gaza.
Each year, UN entities, nongovernmental organizations, national and local authorities and donors collaborate to assemble a national portfolio of mine action project proposals that together reflect the strategic response developed in the field to all aspects of the problem of landmines and explosive remnants of war. A Country Portfolio Coordinator, usually a representative of a UN agency or a national authority, coordinates meetings where all mine action actors agree on a set of projects and priorities and determine funding needs. The proposals in each country's portfolio are assembled with those of other participating countries and published jointly by the UN Mine Action Service, the UN Development Programme and UNICEF in an annual "Portfolio of Mine Action Projects." This publication serves as a tool for collaborative resource mobilization, coordination and planning of mine action activities. The Occupied Palestinian Territory Country Portfolio Team's funding appeal for mine action projects in 2007 totals US $3,908,362.
Scope of the Problem
OPt is contaminated with mines and ERW, although the precise extent of contamination is not known. There are believed to be at least 15 confirmed minefields, all located in the West Bank on the border with Jordan. Palestinian National Security Forces lack maps or records of minefields.
Since the beginning of the Intifada, the scope of the mine and UXO problem has increased, moving beyond minefields and military training zones to reach areas of confrontation, where belligerents leave many explosive devices behind. Further hazards exist as a result of Operation Cast Lead. The key threats are from ERW left behind by Israeli aerial and artillery weapon systems, or from militant caches targeted by the Israeli forces. There is a range of ground forces infantry weapons and small arms ammunition, including 40 millimetre high-explosive grenades and shoulder-fired weapons systems.
The UNMAT deployed into Gaza on 23 January 2009. In April 2009, it initiated assessments to identify the locations of ordnance within destroyed houses and public buildings. Based on preliminary results, it appears that the core remaining threat lies within the ruins of collapsed and damaged buildings. As of October, of the 1,537 buildings assessed, 526 were categorized as having a high or medium risk of UXO contamination, thereby necessitating explosive ordnance disposal follow-up. Individuals involved in rubble removal, farmers and residents of contaminated areas are believed to be most at risk, as well as humanitarian aid workers. In the West Bank, a mine action survey is needed to begin to assess the scope, scale and impact on communities and development.
Coordination and Consultation
To enhance coordination, monitoring, prioritization, and response, the PNMAC was established in 2002 and has been chaired by the Ministry of the Interior since 2006. It meets irregularly because of a lack of resources and has not been active since August 2008. The PNMAC does not have a formal mandate, and its coordination role remains limited. Because of restricted access and mobility between the West Bank and Gaza, a committee was formed in both locations. Once the political situation permits, the two committees will merge into one official coordination body, which will be known as the PNMAC. The PNMAC consists of representatives from seven ministries: culture and environment, education and higher education, health, interior (including its five divisions of civil defence, national security, the police, political guidance and preventive security), planning, social affairs, and youth and sport. Participating international organizations include the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union Coordination Office for Palestinian Police Support (EUCOPPS). Other organizations such as DCI and the PRCS are also represented.
In Gaza, UNICEF has started a mine risk education working group. A number of agencies have agreed to use a common data-gathering tool. Data is being collated centrally and triangulated with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This tool is also being used by agencies working with persons with disabilities.
Strategy
Given limited resources available for demining activities, UNICEF has so far assisted the PNMAC in developing its national mine action strategy—including an intermediate plan of action and recommendations for the longer term. The first priority of the strategy is to build local capacities to address mine and UXO issues through the involvement of all members of the PNMAC. The PNMAC has also worked on establishing an active network at the local level. Recurrent funding deficits hinder efforts to build a comprehensive national strategy for mine action and to move away from a piecemeal approach.
During 2009, the key challenges faced by the PNMAC included:
- The presence of many minefields dating back to previous wars, ERW contamination in Gaza, and unfenced Israeli military training camps located near populated areas;
- Lack of mine clearance capacities within the Palestinian Authority;
- The limited access of Palestinian clearance units due to restricted areas;
- The lack of a mine- and UXO-victim database, and
- Insufficient coordination.
Date Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty signed: N/A
Date of Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty ratification or accession: N/A
Consents to be bound by Protocol II of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: N/A
Consents to be bound by Amended Protocol II of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: N/A
Date signed Protocol V of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: N/A