Did you know that Israel disguises explosives as cans of food and drops them for starving children to find?

Disguised Explosives: Israel's Tactic of Targeting Civilians

In the long history of the Israeli occupation, there have been countless documented atrocities pointing to the disproportionate and inhumane tactics employed by the Israeli military. One of the most horrific and little-known practices involves the intentional placement of disguised explosives in civilian areas—specifically, explosives hidden inside cans of food, designed to lure in vulnerable children and families. This tactic is not only a war crime but a reprehensible violation of basic human decency.

According to numerous reports from human rights organizations, including local eyewitness accounts, Israeli soldiers have been accused of deliberately leaving explosive remnants in areas of Gaza following military operations. These explosives are sometimes disguised as everyday items, including cans of food, which unsuspecting civilians, often children, mistake for essential goods.

A Child’s Innocence Exploited: The Case of Muhammad Yasser Samour

One of the most tragic and direct instances of this vile tactic is the case of 14-year-old Muhammad Yasser Samour. In April 2024, Samour was searching for personal belongings in his home in Khan Yunis, a city in southern Gaza, after Israeli soldiers had occupied the property during military operations. During his search, Samour found what appeared to be cans of food left behind. In a tragic turn of events, as the young boy tried to open one of these cans, it exploded, severely injuring him. His injuries were so extensive that one of his limbs had to be amputated.

This is not an isolated incident. Human rights groups have reported several cases where explosives, left behind by Israeli forces, have been found in civilian homes, resulting in further injuries and deaths. The Government Media Office in Gaza has condemned these acts, labeling them as an intentional effort to "increase the number of martyrs and wounded" among the civilian population. The deliberate targeting of civilians, especially children, with such deceptive means violates every moral and legal standard.

The Scale of the Problem: A Community Under Siege

The issue of unexploded ordnances (UXO) is a persistent threat in Gaza. According to reports from international monitoring agencies, approximately 10% of the shells and bombs dropped by the Israeli military—estimated to total more than 75,000 tonnes of explosives—do not detonate on impact. These remnants pose a long-term danger to the civilian population, especially children, who are often too young to recognize the deadly potential of these devices.

The danger of these explosives does not end with the cessation of immediate hostilities. They remain scattered across communities, waiting to be triggered by innocent victims going about their daily lives. The local authorities in Gaza, severely under-resourced, have repeatedly called on the international community to send specialized teams to safely remove and neutralize these remnants. However, these calls have largely gone unanswered, leaving the population vulnerable to these hidden killers.

War Crimes and International Law

Under international humanitarian law, the deliberate targeting of civilians with such cruel tactics constitutes a war crime. The Fourth Geneva Convention, which governs the treatment of civilians in conflict zones, strictly prohibits acts that are designed to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering. The use of explosive remnants hidden in everyday objects clearly falls into this category.

Human Rights Watch and other organizations have consistently condemned these actions, urging the international community to hold the Israeli government accountable for violations of international law. The deliberate targeting of civilians, particularly with methods that exploit their desperation for food and safety, represents an egregious violation of both legal and moral standards.

The Impact on Gaza's Children

Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of this tactic is the impact on Gaza's children. Already living under constant siege, deprived of food, clean water, and safety, children in Gaza face an additional danger in the form of disguised explosives. These tactics are not random; they are calculated moves designed to inflict maximum harm on the most vulnerable members of society.

The psychological and physical toll on survivors is profound. Children like Muhammad Yasser Samour will carry the scars of these attacks for the rest of their lives, both physically and emotionally. Many of them will require lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, and psychological support, services that are often inaccessible in the blockaded and resource-starved Gaza Strip.

Conclusion: A Call for Accountability

The use of disguised explosives in civilian areas, particularly in items like food cans, is a crime that cannot be ignored. It is a deliberate tactic that preys on the most vulnerable, a method of warfare designed to maximize civilian casualties and sow fear and suffering among Gaza’s already beleaguered population.