Rescuers Recover Dozens of Bodies in Gaza Amid Ceasefire
Palestinian Officials Estimate 10,000 Remain Trapped Under Rubble Following Devastating Conflict
Palestinians have retrieved dozens of bodies buried under rubble in Gaza and continue searching for thousands more as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas enters its second day.
Medical sources reported to Al Jazeera on Monday that 97 bodies had been recovered in the heavily destroyed city of Rafah in southern Gaza since the truce took effect, coinciding with the release of the first three Israeli captives held by Hamas and 90 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
According to local health authorities, Israeli airstrikes and assaults on Gaza have resulted in more than 47,000 Palestinian deaths—primarily women and children—and left over 111,000 wounded.
The Palestinian Civil Defence agency estimates that approximately 10,000 bodies remain trapped beneath destroyed structures throughout the enclave. Additionally, at least 2,840 bodies were reportedly incinerated with no identifiable remains, said Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Emergency Services.
Returning to Devastation
Many displaced Palestinians attempting to return to their neighborhoods found widespread destruction.
“The scale of devastation is beyond comprehension. People are in shock at the level of destruction,” said Mohamed Gomaa, who lost his brother and nephew in the conflict. “This wasn’t an earthquake or a flood—this was complete annihilation.”
Meanwhile, aid efforts are accelerating. On Sunday, more than 630 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza, with at least 300 destined for the northern region, where the UN has warned of an impending famine, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Displaced residents expressed relief as goods became more available in local markets, with prices dropping for essential supplies.
“The war is over, prices are going down, and the border is open for more goods,” said Aya Mohammad-Zaki, a displaced woman sheltering in Deir el-Balah.
Gaza's Reconstruction Challenges
Attention is shifting to Gaza’s reconstruction, with UN estimates indicating that removing the more than 50 million tonnes of rubble could take 21 years and cost up to $1.2 billion. Another UN report suggests that rebuilding homes destroyed in the war could extend until 2040 or longer. Additionally, concerns persist over asbestos contamination in debris from bombed refugee camps.
A UN Development Programme official stated that the war has set Gaza’s development back by 69 years.
Ceasefire Holds Amid Isolated Incidents
While the ceasefire largely remains intact, reports of sporadic violence persist.
On Monday, two Palestinian civilians—including a teenage boy—were shot and killed by Israeli snipers in Rafah, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Eight others, including children, were also injured by Israeli gunfire in the same area.
The Israeli military stated that its forces fired warning shots at individuals approaching soldiers stationed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, scrutiny of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war is growing. Mohamad Elmasry, a media studies professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera that Israeli media have labeled the campaign a “spectacular failure.”
“They are criticizing Netanyahu for failing to eliminate Hamas,” Elmasry said. “Now, he has to watch as Hamas fighters escort Israeli captives back on live television. Hamas remains in control of Gaza and is managing the ceasefire, security, and humanitarian efforts—this is deeply embarrassing for Netanyahu.”