CH - PS 01(MA) *

MULTI/BILAT: BILAT
Status: Completed
Description:
Operation "Protective Edge" by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) began on 8 July 2014 with air strikes on Gaza and an accompanying ground operation lasting until 26 August 2014. An open-ended ceasefire was agreed upon by the parties on 26 August. A portion of the ordnance fired over the course of the conflict failed to explode and now contaminates Gaza, posing an urgent threat to the civilian population and limiting the freedom of movement of humanitarian workers delivering essential lifesaving services. On 23 July, the Secretary-General directed "the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to immediately develop and implement an effective security plan for the safe and secure handing of any weapons discovered in UN premises" along with the United Nations Department of Security Services (UNDSS), and that UNMAS "immediately deploy personnel with expertise to deal with this situation." In response, UNMAS deployed to Gaza on 27 July, as part of the first emergency phase. UNMAS has projected that its support will be needed through at least the end of 2016. Upon deployment to Gaza, UNMAS developed a three-phased response entitled "UNMAS Emergency Explosive Threat Mitigation Response for Gaza", aimed to meet the immediate and early recovery needs arising from the contamination of ERW and other explosive hazards in Gaza. (Partner: UNMAS explosive hazards in Gaza)

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