Haunting Echoes of Conflict: Gaza Rescuers’ Unbearable Burden

Rescuers in Gaza face unimaginable challenges as they respond to the devastation caused by Israeli airstrikes. With insufficient equipment and the constant trauma of leaving victims behind, they live with the haunting memories of those they could not save.

When Nooh al-Shaghnobi, a dedicated rescue worker in Gaza, closes his eyes, he is besieged by the anguished cries of people he could not rescue amidst the chaos of war. His mind fills with memories from the past 14 months—nightmares of collapsed buildings and the relentless pressure of knowing that he and his colleagues lacked the means to dig out survivors trapped beneath the rubble. “We hear the voices of the people under the rubble,” he expressed in an emotional interview, “Imagine there are people under the rubble who we know are alive, but we can’t save them. We have to leave them to die.”

For over a year, the frontline of this conflict has been occupied by Gaza’s rescuers, paramedics, and ambulance drivers, who tirelessly rush to the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes, hoping to salvage lives and recover the deceased. In a staggering display of military force, Israel has launched nearly 30,000 munitions within the first seven weeks of this ongoing assault, marking one of the most intense bombing campaigns seen in recent history.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has highlighted the perilous conditions faced by these rescuers, who often work without adequate protective equipment or fuel for their vehicles. Many are left to rely on their bare hands and rudimentary tools to excavate victims from the weight of tons of debris comprised of crushed stone and twisted metal, often uncovering the human toll of this devastating conflict.