The restricted rescue capacity of the local civil defense department due to the war has compelled local residents to rescue their loved ones trapped beneath the debris with their bare hands in Zeitoun Neighborhood in the south of Gaza City.

Israeli military operations in Gaza led to widespread destruction of buildings and a significant rise in civilian casualties.

In Zeitoun, no intact buildings remain in sight. Amidst the wreckage, survivors painstakingly comb through ruined buildings and debris, desperately searching for their lost homes and families.

The continuous bombs from the Israeli army impeded the evacuation of local people.

"We couldn't contact my child's family or his neighbors at all. After the situation calmed down, we came here and tried to rescue them from the ruins, but we couldn't make it. Today, we brought some simple tools, but only one child was rescued. We couldn't save the rest because the situation here is too difficult," said a local resident.

Israeli army's prolonged military operations weakened Gaza's civil defense, resulting in restricted capabilities. A total of 69 rescue workers died in Israeli attacks by far.

The lack of fuel recently further hampers civil defense and rescue efforts.

"Due to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, there is currently an obvious shortage of civil defense personnel. The biggest problem we face is the lack of equipment, which prevents us from rescuing missing people under the ruins. The Israeli army usually bombs the roofs of buildings (leading to building collapse), which requires professional large machines and equipment such as trucks and excavators," said Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Civil Defense Service in the Gaza Strip.

With no other option, some survivors had to save their family members and friends by their own hands.

"Young people volunteer for rescue, using the simplest tools such as hoes, axes and pliers. We can at least lift out the bodies, including women and children, so that their families can identify and bury them," said another local resident.

SHOTLIST:

Zeitoun Neighborhood, Gaza Strip - May 17, 2024
1. Various of ruined buildings, local residents walking amid ruins;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Resident (name not given):
"We couldn't contact my child's family or his neighbors at all. After the situation calmed down, we came here and tried to rescue them from the ruins, but we couldn't make it. Today, we brought some simple tools, but only one child was rescued. We couldn't save the rest because the situation here is too difficult.";
3. Various of ruins;
4. Rescue people from local civil defense department;
5. Destroyed vehicle;
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mahmoud Basal, spokesman, Civil Defense Service in Gaza Strip (partially overlaid with shot 7):
"Due to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, there is currently an obvious shortage of civil defense personnel. The biggest problem we face is the lack of equipment, which prevents us from rescuing missing people under the ruins. The Israeli army usually bombs the roofs of buildings (leading to building collapse), which requires professional large machines and equipment such as trucks and excavators.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
7. Destroyed building;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
8. Various of local residents walking amid ruins;
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Resident (name not given):
"Now, young people volunteer for rescue, using the simplest tools such as hoes, axes and pliers. We can at least lift out the bodies, including women and children, so that their families can identify and bury them.";
10. Various of ruined buildings, local people, smoke in sky.

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