Gaza Strip: The spokesman for Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Basal, has called for immediate international intervention to compel Israeli authorities to allow the entry of rescue and heavy equipment essential for Civil Defense teams to carry out their operations. He also urged international organizations to provide urgent fuel supplies to support humanitarian efforts, including the removal of unexploded ordnance and the recovery of bodies.
According to Qatar News Agency, Basal stated that since the ceasefire took effect, no heavy equipment necessary for clearing rubble has entered Gaza. He emphasized the severe shortage of essential machinery in northern Gaza, noting that only limited equipment has been allowed through the Rafah crossing for road repairs.
He stressed that Civil Defense teams receive daily appeals to clear debris and recover bodies but are unable to respond to many requests due to a lack of necessary equipment. Despite these challenges, Civil Defense personnel continue to respond to distress calls, having received 2,750 direct appeals from families and recovered approximately 520 bodies. However, an estimated 14,000 bodies remain trapped under the rubble.
According to Basal, the Israeli aggression resulted in the destruction of 85 percent of Civil Defense's operational resources, severely impacting their ability to address urgent humanitarian needs. He also underscored that the ceasefire agreement includes provisions for supplying Civil Defense with necessary equipment, yet Israel has failed to comply, obstructing the recovery of bodies and violating international humanitarian standards.
The Gaza Government Media Office urged all relevant parties and mediators to uphold humanitarian commitments and ensure the entry of essential relief supplies, warning that the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate.
The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect on January 19, bringing an end to the war that began on October 7, 2023.