In Gaza City, members of the Al-Drimli family are using basic tools like shovels, buckets, and a wheelbarrow to search for the remains of a friend and neighbor in the wreckage of their former residence. Under the strong midday sun on Monday, the men, their heads shielded by orange towels or hoodie hoods, toil quietly amid the clanging of shovels and the hum of an electric saw. Despite their efforts, the pile of debris from the six-story building struck by an airstrike in November 2023 remains largely untouched.
Having already located the remains of their own loved ones, the Al-Drimli family is now focused on finding the missing neighbor who was seeking refuge with them during the building’s destruction. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 bodies are still trapped under the rubble nearly three years after the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Due to the scarcity of excavators in Gaza, many Palestinians, including the Al-Drimli family, are forced to rely on manual labor for recovery efforts. Ayman Al-Drimli mentioned to CBC News videographer Mohamed El Saife that the high cost and limited availability of equipment have compelled them to work with their hands.
Officials and equipment operators in Gaza reveal that there are only around a dozen operational excavators in the region. Samir Sabra, who operates two of these excavators with his son, Uday Sabra, highlighted the exorbitant costs of maintenance, particularly the expense of fuel required to operate the machinery effectively. He emphasized the challenges posed by the lack of maintenance resources and spare parts.
Uday Sabra, working alongside the Palestinian Civil Defence, expressed the overwhelming demand for their services, citing the insufficiency of equipment to address the numerous casualties buried under the rubble. The ongoing scarcity of heavy machinery is attributed to the deliberate targeting of such equipment during the conflict, as stated by Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defence.
Despite the ceasefire agreement promising increased access to heavy machinery for clearing rubble and aiding recovery efforts, the situation on the ground remains unchanged. Basal warned that without adequate support and machinery, the process of retrieving bodies from the debris could extend over many years.
International aid groups have reiterated concerns about Israeli restrictions on essential supplies like fuel, oil, and spare parts, impeding the maintenance and operation of critical machinery in Gaza. These restrictions have also slowed down efforts to access and recover remains trapped beneath the rubble, prompting calls for urgent action from the international community.
In response, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) defended their policies, citing security concerns as the primary factor influencing the entry of heavy equipment into Gaza. They emphasized compliance with international law and noted the regular delivery of fuel via international organizations to the region.
Despite the challenges, Uday Sabra remains dedicated to his work, determined to continue digging until all the remains are recovered and laid to rest.