Gaza buried under 70 million tons of debris, 20,000 lingering UXOs

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Oct 2025 17:14
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Gaza faces a massive environmental disaster as millions of tons of rubble and unexploded ordnance block aid delivery, with "Israel" still banning equipment for recovery efforts.

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Destroyed buildings and rubble are seen in the al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 (AP)

Authorities in Gaza have warned that the scale of destruction caused by "Israel’s" two-year-long genocidal war has reached an unprecedented level in modern history.

According to government estimates as of mid-October 2025, the enclave now holds between 65 and 70 million tons of debris and rubble, the remains of thousands of homes, public buildings, and vital infrastructure deliberately destroyed by Israeli occupation forces.

Officials described the devastation as unparalleled, turning Gaza into an environmental and structural disaster zone that severely hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid and obstructs ongoing rescue and relief operations.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza has received 45 bodies of Palestinians from the Red Cross at Nasser Medical Complex, after they were released by the Israeli army, having been detained during the war on Gaza. pic.twitter.com/uU2UKPjlIh
— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) October 15, 2025

Immense challenges

Efforts to clear the wreckage are expected to face immense challenges, primarily due to the Israeli ban on the entry of heavy machinery and construction equipment, coupled with the continued closure of all border crossings. "Israel" has also deliberately prevented the entry of essential materials and tools needed to recover bodies from beneath the ruins, the authorities said.

“This tragic reality demands that the international community fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities,” the statement read, urging immediate global pressure on "Israel" to reopen crossings and allow the start of large-scale debris removal across the devastated territory.

Preliminary assessments further indicate the presence of approximately 20,000 unexploded ordnances, including bombs and missiles dropped by the Israeli occupation forces, posing an extreme threat to civilians and field workers. Experts warn that these deadly remnants require specialized technical and security handling before clearance operations can begin safely.

Officials emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive debris management plan that includes site mapping, hazardous waste disposal, and strategies for recycling and temporary storage of debris. Such a framework, they said, is essential to safely restore life in Gaza and rebuild what has become one of the most extensive humanitarian catastrophes in modern history.

85% of Khan Younis destroyed, City struggles under massive ruin

Last week, the Khan Younis Municipality announced that 85% of the city has been destroyed as a result of the Israeli war, with an estimated 400,000 tons of rubble requiring removal from streets and neighborhoods.

Speaking at a press conference, the mayor of Khan Younis detailed the scale of devastation, noting that 300 kilometers of water networks have been completely destroyed, while 75% of the city’s sewage system has sustained severe damage, worsening both health and environmental conditions for residents.

The municipality is also grappling with an accumulation of over 350,000 tons of waste, a crisis compounded by severely limited resources and increasingly hazardous working conditions.

The mayor reported that only nine municipal teams are currently operational, working to clear blocked roads and critical access points. However, he emphasized that their efforts are at risk of stalling due to a shortage of diesel fuel.

He further stressed the urgent need for modern machinery capable of clearing rubble and heavy debris, as well as new power generators to replace those that have been destroyed or rendered inoperable during the attacks.

In a similar vein, the United Nations said last Saturday that the Israeli war devastated Gaza City, further exacerbating an already severe humanitarian crisis. Furthermore, satellite imagery indicated widespread destruction across the city.

Gaza ministry reports 29 martyrs in 24 hours, four by direct IOF fire

Earlier today, health authorities in the Gaza Strip reported 29 Palestinians killed and 10 wounded over 24 hours as a result of continued Israeli aggression. The latest fatalities include 22 bodies retrieved from under the rubble, three individuals who succumbed to their wounds, and four killed in direct targeting by the Israeli occupation forces.

Civil defense and ambulance crews continue to face serious challenges in accessing victims still trapped under debris or lying in the streets, due to the destruction and ongoing security threats. Since the beginning of the Israeli assault on October 7, 2023, the total number of reported casualties has reached 67,967 martyrs and 170,179 injuries, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.