Sunday 27th September, 2026 01:11 PM|
Aid workers in Gaza are facing a huge and dangerous task as they clear an estimated 61 million tonnes of rubble left by the war.
In Tel al-Hawa, Gaza City, UN engineer Ahmed Alyan spent an entire day clearing part of a road, only to remain surrounded by huge piles of debris.
“I feel as if we are holding a spoon and trying to empty the sea,” Alyan said.
Alyan is part of a World Food Programme (WFP) team clearing Beirut Street, once a busy road lined with shops, homes and offices. The area is now largely deserted, with damaged buildings, blocked drainage systems and sewage flowing onto the streets.
Seven to 10 years to clear Gaza rubble
The UN estimates that clearing most of Gaza’s rubble could take between seven and 10 years and cost billions of dollars.
Jaco Cilliers, the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) special representative in Palestine, said Gaza’s estimated 61 million tonnes of rubble was about 20 times the amount generated in wars worldwide over the past 18 years.
So far, about 907,000 tonnes have been removed and more than 300,000 tonnes recycled or reused, representing only about 1.5 per cent of the total.
About 580km of roads have been cleared, allowing aid trucks, relief teams and residents to move through previously blocked areas.
The clearance operation is particularly dangerous because the debris may contain unexploded ordnance, hazardous materials and human remains.
UNDP estimates that between 8,000 and 10,000 bodies could still be buried beneath the rubble.
The agency is working with organisations including the International Committee of the Red Cross to identify areas where human remains could be located and prioritise their recovery.
UNDP is also developing forensic procedures to identify remains, ensure they are handled properly and provide documentation to families.
Shortage of equipment slows recovery
Aid organisations are struggling with severe shortages of heavy machinery, spare parts, engine oil and other equipment needed for rubble removal.
Restrictions on the entry of construction equipment have further complicated the operation, with concerns raised over items that could have dual-use applications.
UNDP operates five rubble-crushing sites across Gaza using seven crushers. Two of the machines were reconstructed locally after engineers were unable to bring new machinery into the territory.
The crushed material is being reused to repair roads, fill potholes and raise tents and shelters above rainwater and sewage.
For Gaza’s displaced population, the debris is not simply a reconstruction problem. More than 2.1 million people are living in tents and temporary shelters, with rubble surrounding their daily lives.
Clearing roads has improved access and reduced problems associated with rodents and insects. Some damaged businesses have also reopened after debris was removed from outside their premises.
But for many families, the rubble also contains the remains of homes and loved ones.
“Rubble in some areas does not represent just debris to people; it represents their entire life and memories. In some cases, there may be bodies still under the rubble. That is why removing it is a very sensitive issue for families and communities,” said Nehal Abu Hassan, a member of the WFP team.
Unexploded bombs add to the danger
Unexploded ordnance remains a major threat to workers and residents returning to damaged areas.
UNDP and WFP teams coordinate with mine-clearance organisations before beginning work to identify potentially dangerous areas and mark them.
The rubble may also contain hazardous materials such as asbestos, while partly damaged buildings pose the risk of sudden collapse.
The UN says assessing damaged structures before residents return will be an important part of Gaza’s recovery.
Despite the scale of the destruction, aid workers say clearing roads and recycling rubble can provide immediate benefits while laying the groundwork for longer-term reconstruction.
“The progress in early recovery is slow. We are trying to do what we can despite the limitations on bringing in the equipment and services we need,” Cilliers said.
