"On Every Street Lies the Fallen": Gaza Rescuers Confront Immense Destruction
On Monday, the first day of peace in Gaza after 15 months of relentless conflict, rescue workers and civilians alike began to grasp the overwhelming scale of devastation across the Strip.
Gaza’s Civil Defence agency, the primary emergency response unit, estimated that over 10,000 bodies remain trapped beneath the sprawling ruins. Mahmoud Basal, the agency’s spokesman, told the BBC that while they aim to recover the dead within 100 days, limited access to bulldozers and essential equipment could significantly slow the process.
New images emerging from Gaza reveal the catastrophic aftermath, particularly in the northern regions, where the destruction has left entire neighborhoods unrecognizable. According to the UN, roughly 60% of Gaza’s structures have been either damaged or completely destroyed.
Though the sound of bombing gave way to celebrations as the ceasefire began on Sunday, the reality on the ground remains grim. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that over two million Gazans have been left homeless, without income, and entirely reliant on food aid for survival.
Aid trucks began entering Gaza as soon as the ceasefire took effect, with the UN recording 630 trucks crossing into the Strip on Sunday alone—marking the largest aid delivery since the conflict erupted 15 months ago. However, Sam Rose, the acting director of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, stressed that these supplies were just the start of a long road to recovery.
“This isn’t just about food and healthcare,” Rose said. “We’re talking about rebuilding entire lives—homes, families, communities. The trauma and loss people have endured will take generations to heal.”
Families of Freed Hostages Speak Out
In Israel, families of three hostages freed during the ceasefire expressed relief but acknowledged the suffering of others. Mandy Damari, whose daughter Emily Damari was among those released, said her daughter was “in high spirits” despite injuries sustained during the October 7 Hamas attack.
The Israeli government confirmed that 30 more hostages would be released over the next 40 days if the ceasefire holds, in exchange for the release of approximately 1,800 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
Recovery Amid Ruins
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the daunting task of clearing rubble and recovering bodies has fallen to the remaining Civil Defence workers, many of whom have suffered significant losses themselves. Nearly half of the agency’s personnel have been killed, injured, or detained, and 85% of its vehicles have been destroyed.
Rescue workers shared harrowing images with the BBC, showing them recovering the remains of victims, including children. Abdullah Al-Majdalawi, a 24-year-old rescuer from Gaza City, described the grim reality: “Every street has its dead. Every neighborhood has people buried under the rubble.”
Displaced residents, eager to return to their homes, face immense challenges. Malaak Kasab, a 23-year-old recent graduate, shared that her family’s apartment was severely damaged. “No windows, no doors, no water, no electricity—it’s unlivable,” she said. Like many others, she awaits news of loved ones still missing under the ruins.
A Fragile Peace
Although the ceasefire has brought a temporary reprieve, fears persist that it could unravel. Israeli officials maintain the right to resume military action, and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the UN has called for strict adherence to the truce. He also expressed concern over escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, warning that proposed annexations by Israel would violate international law.
For many in Gaza, the ceasefire is bittersweet. Hatem Eliwah, a 42-year-old factory supervisor, summed up the sentiment: “We’ve waited for this ceasefire like waiting to enter heaven. But I’ve lost my brothers, my cousins, my uncles. All I want now is to go home.”
The road to recovery for Gaza will be long and arduous. For its people, the scars of war are everywhere—etched into the rubble and carried in their hearts.
