Gaza Rescue Workers Endure Harrowing Toll Amid Ongoing Conflict

Rescuers in Gaza are grappling with the physical and emotional toll of their work in the aftermath of extensive Israeli bombardments, which have left thousands trapped beneath the rubble. Since the beginning of the conflict, Gaza's Civil Defence has reported that 99 of its rescue workers have been killed and 319 injured, with the latter often facing life-altering injuries.

In a poignant tribute during funerals, Civil Defence workers often lay their orange vests—symbols of their sacrifice—over the bodies of fallen colleagues. "We put the vest there because our colleague sacrificed his soul in it," said Nooh al-Shaghnobi, a 24-year-old rescue worker.

As the fragile ceasefire continues, the agency estimates that more than 10,000 individuals remain buried under the debris in Gaza. The Civil Defence’s capacity to recover remains is severely hampered by a lack of heavy machinery, with many workers relying on basic tools to conduct their operations. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the agency, indicated that recovery efforts aim to retrieve the remaining bodies within 100 days, although the destruction presents significant challenges.

The humanitarian crisis continues to grow, with UNICEF estimating over 47,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, having died, and more than 111,000 wounded since the conflict began. The situation raises urgent concerns about the psychological impact on rescue workers, many of whom report feeling increasingly isolated due to the traumatic nature of their experiences.

“I have become afraid of my own memories,” stated Abdullah al-Majdalawi, a 24-year-old Civil Defence worker. While support for returning Israeli hostages has been organized, Gaza's emergency responders report receiving little to no psychological assistance.

As families sift through the rubble in search of loved ones, hope persists for some, while the Civil Defence workers maintain a firm commitment to continuing their duties despite the profound emotional scars left by the ongoing conflict.