New York: Making Gaza safe again from the unexploded bombs rained down by the Israeli war machine could take 14 years, UN demining experts said Friday.

Pehr Lodhammar, a senior officer from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), said that the conflict had left an estimated 37 million tonnes of debris.

 He said it was impossible to determine the exact amount of unexploded ordnance in the enclave where formerly heavily built-up and densely populated neighbourhoods had been reduced to rubble, after nearly seven months of intense Israeli bombardment.

Every square metre in Gaza impacted by the Israeli attacks contained some 200 kilogrammes of rubble, the veteran UN demining expert told journalists in Geneva. “All I can say is that at least 10 per cent of the ammunition that is being fired potentially fails to function…with 100 trucks we’re talking about 14 years of work with 100 trucks, so that’s 14 years to remove with about 750,000 workdays – person workdays – to remove the debris.”

Meanwhile, UN humanitarians repeated warnings that famine is imminent in the northern Gaza Strip, in a renewed urgent appeal for more aid relief to be allowed into the enclave. Israel pledged three weeks ago to improve aid access via the Erez Crossing just north of Gaza and Ashdod cargo port, further northwards.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that a small increase in aid had happened, but not nearly enough in volume – or diversity. “We’re still heading towards a famine, we haven’t seen that paradigm shift that’s needed to avert a famine, we need more volume, more predictability and a sustained effort to get more diverse assistance into the north,” said Carl Skau, WFP Deputy Executive Director.

Amid reports of sustained Israeli strikes on eastern Rafah, Skau underlined continuing deep concerns that any ground invasion of the enclave’s southernmost city risked disrupting already insufficient aid distributions.

 And turning to efforts to establish a marine corridor for humanitarian aid, the WFP official insisted that “there is no substitute for land” deliveries into Gaza. In a related development, top rights experts have appealed to Israel for safe passage for a flotilla of boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The “Freedom Flotilla” plans to depart from Türkiye carrying 5,500 tonnes of aid, along with hundreds of international humanitarian observers, en route for the besieged Gaza Strip.

“As the Freedom Flotilla approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, Israel must adhere to international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid,” said the experts, who include Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food.

In 2010, the experts noted that Israel intercepted and attacked the Freedom Flotilla’s civilian ships in international waters, killing 10 passengers and wounding many others.

At the time, the Freedom Flotilla had attempted to break the Israeli blockade by delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

Lahore:  Punjab  Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday ordered to undertake pre-emptive precautionary and essential administrative measures on the likelihood of a rainfall across the province including Lahore.

The directions were issued on the forecast of torrential rains in the province till 29th April.

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and MD WASA to remain vigilant and directed the relevant officers of all the shifts to remain in the field.

The Chief Minister directed the administration and WASA to remain vigilant, proactive and utilise all available resources for water drainage. She further directed to undertake all essential measures to maintain traffic flow in Lahore and other cities.

The CM directed the traffic wardens to perform their duties vigilantly to facilitate the citizens so as to maintain traffic flow. She directed the Rescue services institutions to undertake prompt safety measures for the protection of livestock in the rural areas. She directed to undertake swift measures for timely shifting of people to safer places from the catchment areas.

The people of catchment areas should be forewarned about the emergency situation. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed to seek assistance from the media, social media and mobile alerts service in this regard.

Lahore:  Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren on Saturday extended a warm welcome to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

The both sides discussed the matters of mutual interest and to enhance the bilateral cooperation during the meeting.

They also held discussions regarding the security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the Chinse diplomat about the measures taken for the security of Chinese citizens.

Naqvi said,  “The protection of Chinese citizens residing in Pakistan is our national responsibility,”.  He stated that all the relevant authorities were instructed according to SOPs to ensure the security of Chinese citizens.

The interior minister also said that they would not allow any conspiracy to harm Pak-China friendship to succeed.

“No stone will be left unturned to ensure the security of our Chinese brothers,” said Interior Minister Naqvi.

On it, Chinese Consul General Zhao Shireen said, “China and Pakistan are friends in every season,”.

He said that the bonds of mutual trust between Pakistan and China are growing stronger with each passing day.