Killing long after they fall: The cost of active warfare and explosive ordnance on civilians in Gaza

Executive summary

Civilians in Gaza are caught in a relentless cycle of destruction, displacement, and despair. Decades of occupation, blockade, and siege have been compounded by the catastrophic use of explosive weapons in one of the world’s most densely populated areas. The human cost is staggering with more than 43,000 killed, 90% of the population displaced, and essential infrastructure obliterated. Civilians are left grappling with unimaginable risks from widespread destruction to the deadly legacy of explosive ordnance (EO) contamination. 

Nearly everyone in Gaza has felt the devastating impact. Homes reduced to rubble, schools and hospitals targeted, and basic services like water and healthcare brought to a standstill. Families face a grim reality, uprooted an average of six times, often returning to areas that have seen active fighting which are likely riddled with explosive ordnance. Children, tragically, are among the most vulnerable, mistaking deadly remnants of war for toys. 
This report lays bare the far-reaching consequences of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas in Gaza, revealing a dire reality for a population trapped in danger. It underscores the devastating toll of impunity and disregard for international humanitarian law, which continues to result in immense suffering of civilians.