UNMAS OPT: October Monthly Newsletter

25 November 2025

In Focus:

In early October, at the request of OCHA, UNMAS conducted an Explosive Hazard Assessment (EHA) of the European Gaza Hospital, Gaza’s second largest medical facility located in Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city. The facility had sustained significant damage during the May 2025 hostilities, resulting in its closure and the loss of essential medical services such as neurosurgery, cardiac care, and oncology, services not available elsewhere in Gaza.

During a prior visit, explosive ordnance (EO) had been identified on-site, and UNMAS assessed that further contamination could be present within the debris. By mapping potential high-risk areas, the assessment enabled humanitarian partners to safely access previously restricted zones. This critical step allowed for the identification and recovery of vital medical equipment, which could then be relocated to operational facilities.

On 12 and 19 October, UNMAS joined interagency missions (IAMs) led by the World Health Organization to the hospital, facilitating safe access through areas of known risk. As a result, WHO successfully relocated 12 truckloads of life-saving supplies, including ICU equipment, mechanical ventilators, incubators, and anti-cancer medications, to the nearby Nasser Medical Complex. This facility has since become a vital hub again, serving hundreds of patients daily during the ceasefire.