Gaza is currently facing one of the most arduous recovery undertakings in contemporary conflict, as palestinians begin to sift through an estimated 61 million tonnes of wreckage. This staggering amount-twenty times the total debris from all conflicts as 2008-conceals what authorities believe are at least 10,000 people buried beneath.

The Scale of the Devastation

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Families in Gaza are desperately searching for missing relatives, aided by members of the Palestinian civil defense, the agency responsible for emergency and rescue operations. The sheer scale of the destruction presents an unprecedented challenge, requiring more than just manpower.

Rescue teams are currently relying on basic tools-shovels, pickaxes, and wheelbarrows-to navigate the debris. Repeated requests for the provision of excavators and heavy machinery to expedite the process have, as of now, gone unanswered.

“The world has witnessed the equipment used to recover the remains of Israeli hostages, including bulldozers and excavators,” stated Dr. Mohammed al-Mughir, a director with the Palestinian civil defense. “We require the same resources to retrieve our people.”

Estimates and Identification Challenges

The Gaza Ministry of Health and civil defense estimate that approximately 10,000 individuals remain trapped under the rubble, with some experts suggesting this figure could be as high as 14,000. During the initial 16 days of the recent ceasefire, 472 bodies were recovered and transported to hospitals for identification, a total that excludes the 195 bodies returned by Israel as part of the truce agreement.

Even with the potential provision of heavy machinery, civil defense officials anticipate that recovering the majority of the bodies could take up to nine months. Current efforts are focused on smaller structures, while larger, multi-story buildings present insurmountable obstacles without advanced equipment.

Hundreds of families are daily visiting hospitals and civil defense headquarters, seeking information about their loved ones. The civil defense in Gaza City alone is assisting over 30 families each day in their search.

Personal Stories of Loss

Aya Abu Nasr’s family home in Beit Lahiya collapsed following an airstrike on October 29,2024. Nasr recounts losing five siblings and their families, with over 100 relatives perishing in the attack. Approximately 50 remain buried under the wreckage a year after the tragic event.

Hadeel Shahiber’s entire family was killed in an airstrike on November 17, 2023, after evacuating Gaza City. Though some remains were recovered and buried in January, others remain trapped, leaving Shahiber in a state of perpetual grief.

the Need for Complete Debris Management

Beyond the immediate task of body recovery, the sheer volume of debris poses long-term risks. The united Nations Habitat Program estimates that it would take seven years and 105 trucks operating continuously to clear the rubble, even with 77% of Gaza’s road network damaged or impassable. The presence of unexploded ordnance and hazardous materials like asbestos further complicates and endangers the cleanup efforts.

The UN Mine Action Service has already documented 147 incidents involving ordnance in the debris as October 2023, resulting in 52 deaths and numerous injuries.

Debris Volume Estimated Deaths Under Rubble Rubble Clearance Time (Estimate)
61 Million tonnes 10,000 – 14,000 Up to 9 Months (with heavy machinery)

Did You know? The amount of debris in Gaza is equivalent to building a 12-meter high wall around New York City’s Central Park.

Pro Tip: If you are seeking to provide assistance,organizations like UNRWA and the Red Cross are actively involved in relief efforts within Gaza.

What challenges do you believe will be most significant in the long-term recovery of Gaza? How can the international community better support these efforts?