Gaza: Aid workers face task of clearing rubble hiding up to 10,000 bodies

Aid workers in Gaza are grappling with the daunting task of clearing an estimated 61 million tonnes of rubble left in the wake of the recent war. The UN estimates that this monumental task could take between seven to 10 years and cost billions of dollars. In Tel al-Hawa, Gaza City, a UN engineer expressed the enormity of the challenge, stating, "I feel as if we are holding a spoon and trying to empty the sea."

The clearance operation, while essential for rebuilding, is fraught with danger due to the potential presence of unexploded ordnance, hazardous materials, and human remains. About 580km of roads have been cleared, facilitating the movement of aid trucks, relief teams, and residents, but the recovery of human remains remains a priority.

The UNDP is working with the International Committee of the Red Cross to identify areas where remains may be buried and develop forensic procedures to handle and document them. Despite these efforts, the agency estimates that between 8,000 and 10,000 bodies could still be hidden beneath the rubble.

Brief written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.