61m tonnes of rubble: Gaza aid workers face delicate task of clearing ruins concealing up to 10,000 bodies
Removal of war debris, in which lives, memories and unexploded Israeli bombs lie buried, is one of largest clearance operations in modern history
TL;DR
- Gaza has an estimated 61 million tonnes of rubble, requiring a 7-10 year clearance operation costing billions.
- Debris removal is hazardous, with potential for unexploded bombs and the presence of thousands of buried bodies.
- Restrictions on importing heavy machinery and limited space for rubble disposal complicate clearance efforts.
- Recycling rubble for reuse in road repairs and shelter elevation is a key strategy.
- Clearing rubble has helped revive Gaza's local economy by enabling businesses to reopen.
- The sensitive nature of rubble removal is amplified by the potential presence of human remains, requiring careful identification and respectful handling.
- Unexploded ordnance and hazardous materials like asbestos pose significant risks to clearance teams and residents.