Gaza Struggles to Recover from Destruction After Ceasefire: A Glimpse into the Scale of Devastation

On the first full day of peace in Gaza following the ceasefire, rescue workers and civilians began confronting the immense destruction left behind by 15 months of intense conflict. The Gaza Civil Defence agency, the region’s primary emergency response service, has estimated that over 10,000 bodies may still be trapped under rubble. Despite hopes of recovering the dead within 100 days, the agency faces significant challenges due to a lack of bulldozers and other essential equipment.

Images emerging from Gaza on Monday, following the ceasefire on Sunday, revealed the extensive devastation, particularly in the northern regions of the strip. According to the United Nations, around 60% of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict.

While the sounds of bombing were replaced by celebrations as the ceasefire took effect, the reality on the ground remains dire. Over two million Gazans are now homeless, without income, and reliant on food aid. The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) reported that over 630 lorries brought aid into Gaza on Sunday, with an additional 915 lorries entering on Monday, marking the largest aid delivery since the start of the war.

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Sam Rose, acting director of UNRWA, the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, stressed that aid is just the beginning of the enormous task of rebuilding Gaza, which faces a long recovery ahead. The trauma endured by individuals, families, and entire communities over the past 16 months is immense, and the road to healing will be long and challenging.

As the international community steps up efforts to address the human toll of the war, the figures are staggering. Over 46,900 people have been reported killed, with more than 110,700 injured. These numbers likely underestimate the true death toll, with many casualties still buried under the rubble. The Gaza Civil Defence agency itself has been severely impacted, with nearly half of its personnel either killed, injured, or detained during the conflict, and much of its equipment destroyed.

The work of recovery continues, but the risks remain high. Many displaced Gazans, despite warnings, are eager to return to what remains of their homes, driven by the hope of finding some remnants of normalcy in the wake of this catastrophe.

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