Tens of thousands of Gaza residents face potential death or injury this weekend from shells and bombs buried in rubble as they attempt to reach their devastated homes in areas previously inaccessible during the 15-month Israeli war, The Guardian reported citing explosive disposal experts and aid officials.

Under the ceasefire deal implemented last Sunday, "Israel" is required to permit movement from southern to northern Gaza—where destruction has been most severe—via a major checkpoint on the Israeli-controlled Netzarim corridor.

Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGOs Network in Gaza from Deir al-Balah, said as quoted by The Guardian, “There is likely to be massive movement over the next few days and people are also going to be trying to find their loved ones or whoever under the rubble. There are 50m tonnes of debris that contains unknown dangerous items. Unexploded ordnance is a really big issue. We are trying to coordinate efforts to raise awareness. We are telling children especially to tell authorities if they find anything and stay away from it.”

An 'unprecedented' mission 

Experts have called the task of clearing unexploded munitions “unprecedented,” given that over two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed or damaged in one of the most intense bombardments in recent history.

Approximately 2 million Palestinians forcibly displaced during the war are currently in makeshift shelters and tent camps, often far from their homes. Many, particularly from northern Gaza, are sending family members to search for belongings, recover remains of loved ones, or assess what is left of their properties.

Suheila al-Harthani, 65, shared her fears as her son prepared to return to their home in northern Gaza from a camp near Khan Younis.

“I am afraid that our house will be destroyed … I haven’t lost anyone from my family, but I am terrified of losing someone or having them injured because of these explosives. I fear that one of these remnants will explode, and I could lose my life, or a hand, or a leg,” she told The Guardian.

Hidden hazards: Toxic rubble and collapsing tunnels add to Gaza’s risks

The dangers are not limited to unexploded ordnance. Experts warn that the rubble conceals toxic industrial chemicals, decomposing human remains, and asbestos. 

Gary Toombs of Humanity and Inclusion UK, an NGO working in Gaza, told The Guardian, “Anyone who goes near the debris is at risk … As soon as they can, people will move back into all those [devastated areas] – that’s when we will see a spike of injuries and deaths.”

His organization has sent 8 million text messages warning of the risks posed by unexploded munitions. “It is a pretty horrible picture. People will be looking for anything they can use to survive. They will prioritize their basic needs over safety,” he added.

The 15-month Israeli genocide has resulted in the killing of over 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

Greg Crowther of the Mines Advisory Group described the clearance challenges as “unique.” He explained, “That level of destructing of a populated urban environment, with that level of bombing over a period of time, repeated bombing with a range of munitions, overlaid with ground fighting, that is pretty unusual. I don’t think there is anything comparable in terms of duration and intensity and in that [kind of] location. It does make it pretty … unprecedented.”

'The smell of dead bodies is in the streets'

In Jabalia, Gaza’s largest refugee camp and a focal point of Israeli military actions, some families have returned to live amid the ruins. Mohammed Badr, a father of 10, described the harsh conditions, “They are talking about a truce, a ceasefire, and the delivery of aid. It has been three days since we came back, and we cannot find water to drink. We cannot find covers to keep our children warm. We depend on bonfires all night. We wish to have some firewood for the bonfire, we use plastic, which causes diseases.”

His wife, Umm Nidal, described the devastation, “There is nothing left. You cannot walk in the streets. Houses collapsed on top of each other. You get lost, you don’t know if this is your home or not. The smell of dead bodies [is] in the streets.”

Unexploded ordnance is expected to significantly hinder reconstruction in Gaza and pose ongoing hazards. Experts estimate that clearing the 50 million tons of rubble could take 15 years and cost $500m-$600m, according to UN reports.

Toombs emphasized the enormity of the task, “It’s going to be the most complicated clearance task I’ve seen in 30 years of explosive ordnance disposal experience.”

Read more: Abu Obeida: Only IOF achievement in Gaza destruction, massacres