Gaza City residents describe horror as Israeli air raids level homes, trapping scores under rubble with no rescue gear.
Gaza City residents are fighting to extricate bodies from the rubble following another round of Israeli air raids that flattened residential neighborhoods on Monday morning. Witnesses described scenes of devastation, with whole families trapped under collapsed buildings and minimal or no emergency response available.
Majdi Obeid, from Gaza City, said the Israeli army attacked the Abu-Heen family house overnight. The building, where many women and children lived, was destroyed. “When this morning the missile hit, we saw bodies scattered all over the place,” he said. “Ninety percent of the dead are women and children. The four-story building collapsed, and we don’t even know who is alive under the wreckage.”
Ahmed Jundiya, who lives in the area, explained that locals have been attempting to dig out bodies since as early as 5 a.m. (03:00 GMT) with nothing but their hands. “There are no medical crews here, no Civil Defence squads. We do not even have simple tools like hammers,” he said. “There are people alive still under the debris, but we need assistance quickly.”
Jundiya also attributed blame to the blockade of aid, stating, “Israel is not letting rescue equipment into Gaza. Children are pinned under rubble, and we cannot rescue them.”
Desperation and frustration are building among the residents, who demand an end to the conflict. “What kind of life is this?” Jundiya complained. “Arab nations do nothing as we endure this. Stop the war against us enough is enough.”
The conflict has resulted in mass destruction, with human rights groups consistently warning of the deteriorating situation in Gaza.