Gaza faces devastation as rescue workers tackle enormous damage post-ceasefire

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Gaza’s residents and rescue workers are grappling with the staggering scale of destruction left by 15 months of conflict.

Gaza’s Civil Defense agency has warned that more than 10,000 bodies may still be buried under the rubble, and with a shortage of bulldozers and other vital equipment, the recovery process is expected to take months. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the agency, told the BBC that while they aim to recover the dead within 100 days, delays are inevitable.

The damage to Gaza is immense. New images following the ceasefire reveal the extent of devastation, particularly in the northern areas, where entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. The UN estimates that 60% of Gaza’s structures have been damaged or destroyed. Though the sound of bombs has been replaced by the relief of celebrations, life in Gaza remains bleak. More than two million residents are now homeless, with no income and entirely reliant on food aid. According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), emergency aid began flowing into Gaza immediately after the ceasefire, with 630 lorries entering the Strip on Sunday and 915 more the following day, marking the highest number of deliveries since the war began.

Sam Rose, acting director of UNRWA in Gaza, emphasized the enormity of the task ahead, saying, “We’re not just talking about food, healthcare, buildings, roads, infrastructure, we’ve got individuals, families, communities that need to be rebuilt.” He acknowledged the deep psychological scars inflicted by the war, adding, “The trauma that they’ve gone through, the suffering, the loss, the grief, the humiliation, and the cruelty that they’ve endured over the past 16 months — this is going to be a very, very long road.”

In Israel, three hostages released during the ceasefire were reunited with their families. Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari, a dual Israeli-British citizen, shared that her daughter was in “high spirits” despite losing two fingers during the Hamas attack in October 2023. Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of Romi Gonen, who was freed along with the others, expressed hope for all families affected, stating, “We got our Romi back, but all families deserve the same outcome, both the living and the dead.”

Palestinian authorities have reported that more than 46,900 people were killed in Gaza during the conflict, with over 110,700 wounded. While exact figures remain uncertain, a UK-led study published in *The Lancet* suggests that the true death toll could be even higher. The Gaza Civil Defense agency also revealed the heavy toll on its own personnel, with 48% of staff killed, injured, or detained, and 85% of its vehicles and most facilities destroyed.

Despite the end of airstrikes, the work of recovering the dead continues, with Civil Defense workers on the ground risking their lives to search for survivors and bodies in the rubble. “In every street there are dead. In every neighborhood there are people under the buildings,” said Abdullah Al-Majdalawi, a Civil Defense worker in Gaza City. Many, like Malaak Kasab, a displaced student from Gaza City, are still waiting for the recovery of their loved ones. “We have lost a lot of members of our family and some are still under the destroyed buildings,” she said.

For the displaced, moving around remains perilous as Israeli forces withdraw from certain areas. Despite warnings from the Israeli military about entering buffer zones, many displaced Gazans are eager to return home. Hatem Eliwah, a factory supervisor who lost two brothers in the conflict, expressed the hope to see his home again, saying, “We have been waiting for this ceasefire like people waiting to enter heaven.”

Amid these challenges, the international community is watching closely. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire as a “ray of hope” but cautioned that the obligations of all parties must be met. Guterres also highlighted the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, warning against the potential annexation of Palestinian territories by Israel, which he described as a serious violation of international law. As Gaza faces an uncertain future, the path to recovery will be long, fraught with difficulties, and dependent on both international aid and the will of the people to rebuild their shattered lives.