• Published 12:01 10.03.10
  • Latest update 12:24 10.03.10

UN bomb disposal unit to enter Gaza to neutralize ordnance

IDF authorizes UN sapper unit's entry into Gaza to deal with unexploded arms from Operation Cast Lead.

By Haaretz Service Tags: Gabi Ashkenazi Gaza Israel news IDF

A special United Nations bomb disposal unit will enter the Gaza Strip on Wednesday in order to dispose of unexploded ordnance that remained in the area following Operation Cast Lead.

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, has authorized the UN sapper unit's entry into Gaza.

According to the IDF Spokesperson's office, the activity's main goal is to prevent harm to Gaza's residents. The operation is scheduled to last a few months, during which explosions may be heard in the area of the Gaza Strip.

The team will enter the Gaza Strip through the Erez crossing under the Coordination and authorization of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot.

The Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that Israel agreed to grant United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon and the European Union's foreign policy commissioner Catherine Ashton entry visas into the Gaza Strip, the first time it has acceded to such a request from international officials since Operation Cast Lead in December 2008.

Gaza during Operation Cast Lead.

Photo by: (Archive)
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  • 12. 0 0
    to Silvenne
    • Adrian de Klerk
    • 14.03.10
    • 10:17

    The IDF cant disarm the ordenance as the pals wont let them in to do it.

  • 11. 0 0
    Gaza
    • Ron
    • 11.03.10
    • 12:49

    Why don't the people that supplied the rockets to the imbeciles that was shooting at Israel destroy the ordinance?

  • 10. 0 0
    Global Why should UN wants to enter Gaza
    • Aby
    • 11.03.10
    • 09:03

    from Erez Point and not from an Egypt Point? Aha Occupation. Learn literally what is occupation, then post. If you want to enter Gaza from Israel you need a permission a visa from Israel, the same truth goes to Egypt, like any other country on this world. It seems you forgot it delibaretly. Aby

  • 9. 0 0
    So generous of the IDF..not enough dead?
    • John
    • 11.03.10
    • 05:49

    It took more than a year to let them in?

  • 8. 0 0
    u.n. in gaza, welcome home!
    • joe Guest
    • 11.03.10
    • 03:19

    Better be careful when you are moving around ornance in the Gaza. Next thing you know, you'll be brought up on war crimes! Ban Ki could make himself useful and ick up a few here and there. Oh yeah, that's right, He a very , very important man. So sorry , Ban Ki. Perhaps you can sell lemonade and watch that everything is on the up and up! Have Fun!

  • 7. 0 0
    silvienne, yes they did
    • corey
    • 10.03.10
    • 21:41

    only on the internet do you find dopes who wonder why a war started with a group that fires rockets daily into your country and formally declares you to be an enemy. let me shoot a handgun at you everyday and even though i miss you stand there and do nothing.

  • 6. 0 0
    #3, Israeliguy....
    • Silvienne
    • 10.03.10
    • 19:35

    "So we can be accused of starting another war???" I suppose the Gazans just invited the IDF into Gaza for Operation Cast Lead, then?

  • 5. 0 0
    Why would the UN...
    • Global
    • 10.03.10
    • 18:23

    Why would the UN need Israel's permission to enter Gaza? Didn't Israel's occupation of Gaza end in 2005?

  • 4. 0 0
    I don't understand
    • utagawa
    • 10.03.10
    • 18:21

    why they don't enter from the Egyptian side.

  • 3. 0 0
    2# why Sylvienne
    • Israeliguy
    • 10.03.10
    • 18:20

    So we can be accused of starting another war??? THANKS BUT NO THANKS!!!!!!!

  • 2. 0 0
    The IDF dropped the ordnance....
    • Silvienne
    • 10.03.10
    • 16:38

    ...they should be the ones to enter Gaza to neutralize it, not the UN.

  • 1. 0 0
    Funny, innit?
    • Johnboy
    • 10.03.10
    • 13:28

    "The team will enter the Gaza Strip through the Erez crossing under the Coordination and authorization of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories," So there is a "Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories" who controls all access into Gaza, but this ISN'T occupied territory. Funny, isn't it, how Israel can claim that Up is Down, and Black is White, and yet nobody dares to point out that this pompous little emperor is merely prancing around in the nuddie.....