Municipal teams in western Gaza City have begun clearing rubbles and reopening roads in Nasser following the Israeli army's withdrawal, but widespread devastation and equipment shortages are severely hampering recovery efforts across the war-torn enclave.
Israel and Hamas on Thursday agreed to a Gaza ceasefire deal, which went into effect the next day, offering a tentative path toward ending the two-year conflict that has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, injured almost 170,000 others.
Municipal maintenance crews across the Gaza Strip are relying on a limited supply of heavy machinery to clear debris and restore access. But with fuel in short supply and much of their equipment destroyed during the conflict, the work is progressing at a painfully slow pace.
"We, the municipal department of Gaza City, are clearing and opening the streets of Gaza. Now we are working on Nasser Street. The Israeli army had destroyed everything here, with streets and houses almost completely demolished, 90 percent of the sewage treatment and drainage facilities wiped out, and all infrastructure in Gaza City in ruins," said Muhannad Sukkar, head of the highway and street division of Gaza City's municipal department.
Following the Israeli army's withdrawal, previously cordoned-off neighborhoods have reopened, but the ubiquitous ruins and collapsed streets have created enormous difficulties for residents returning home.
Locals also fear that unexploded munitions or other hazardous items may still remain in areas once occupied by the Israeli forces.
"Previously, the roads were completely blocked from Al-Shifa all the way to the end of the street. We walked back on foot. It was too difficult along the way. The road is full of stones, iron pieces, and even possibly unexploded munitions. We felt very uneasy and scared the whole way back. Fortunately, we finally made it home," said local resident Mohammed Mushtaha, recalling the difficulties his family had faced on their way back home.
"You can see how devastating the destruction is right in front of you. We are trying to settle back in. But in an environment like this, normal life is simply impossible. How are we supposed to live in all this devastation? No one - whether children, young people, the elderly, or women - can live here. This building used to have seven floors, now only one remains intact. This building over here was bombed too. We are doing our best to clear the rubble, trying to repair the houses. There are very few heavy machines left in Gaza City. Relying on just one or two excavators is not enough. We hope the international community can provide aid, giving us a chance to rebuild our homes," another local resident Mahmoud Sabry said amid the shattered buildings.
Gazans begin clearing rubbles in Nasser as immense destruction slows recovery
Gazans begin clearing rubbles in Nasser as immense destruction slows recovery
