Rescue teams in Gaza have recovered the bodies of 19 people from the ruins of a destroyed building, after days of search operations through collapsed concrete and debris. The recovery effort highlights the continuing humanitarian challenges facing communities across the Gaza Strip.
The bodies were recovered after civil defence crews searched the remains of the building, with operations slowed by a severe shortage of heavy machinery needed to remove large sections of rubble. Authorities said thousands of people remain missing beneath destroyed structures across Gaza.
Rescue workers have faced extremely difficult conditions, relying heavily on manual digging and limited equipment while attempting to locate victims trapped under collapsed buildings. The lack of specialised machinery has significantly delayed recovery operations.
The discovery adds to the growing toll from the conflict, as families continue searching for missing relatives and communities attempt to recover bodies from heavily damaged neighbourhoods. Gaza officials have repeatedly called for more international assistance and equipment to support rescue and recovery efforts.
The situation has drawn international attention as humanitarian organisations warn that the scale of destruction has created long-term challenges for rebuilding, identifying victims and providing support to affected families.
