In central Gaza City, members of the Al-Drimli family are diligently searching for the remains of their neighbor amidst the debris of their former residence, using basic tools like shovels, buckets, and a wheelbarrow. On a sunny Monday afternoon, the men work quietly with their heads covered to shield themselves from the sun’s rays, accompanied by the sounds of shovels scraping against rubble and the hum of an electric saw.
The family had already found the remains of their loved ones and are now focused on locating their neighbor, who was with them when the building was struck by an airstrike in November 2023. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 bodies are still buried under the rubble nearly three years after the conflict between Israel and Hamas began.
Due to the scarcity of excavators in Gaza, many Palestinians, including the Al-Drimli family, have resorted to manual labor to uncover remains due to the high cost and limited availability of equipment. Ayman Al-Drimli explained that they rely on hand tools as heavy machinery is expensive and hard to come by.
Reports indicate that Gaza only has around a dozen functional excavators, with maintenance challenges exacerbated by a lack of spare parts and fuel shortages. Samir Sabra, who operates two excavators in the region, highlighted the financial burden of running the equipment, citing the high cost of essential supplies like oil.
Despite the ceasefire agreement last year, which aimed to facilitate the entry of heavy machinery into Gaza for rubble clearance, the situation on the ground remains unchanged. Mahmoud Basal of the Palestinian Civil Defence mentioned that heavy equipment was deliberately targeted during the conflict, hampering recovery efforts.
Efforts to access and recover remains are further hindered by Israeli restrictions on fuel, oil, and spare parts, impacting the maintenance of critical equipment in Gaza. Humanitarian groups have urged the international community to intervene to expedite the process of retrieving bodies trapped under the rubble.
Uday Sabra, operating one of the few remaining excavators in Gaza, expressed the overwhelming demand for their services and the challenges they face in meeting the needs of families seeking closure for their lost loved ones. Despite the obstacles, he remains committed to the painstaking task of uncovering remains and providing a semblance of peace to the deceased.