In Gaza's rubble-strewn streets, a grim search continues. For the Palestinian Civil Defense force, finding and retrieving the dead is an ongoing mission. Nooh al-Shaghnobi, one of its seasoned workers, has spent seven years on this grueling quest.
His team was called to a bombed home in eastern Gaza City, where Israeli forces had killed over 30 members of an extended family. The rubble was too heavy for simple tools like hammers and axes; the crew needed to dig deeper. Al-Shaghnobi guided his team down into the wreckage, crawling under collapsed floors as they searched for anyone alive.
However, there's no respite from death in Gaza. With Israeli forces stationed near areas deemed 'yellow zones,' thousands of bodies remain buried beneath rubble. Local estimates put the number at 10,000 and counting – a staggering figure that weighs heavily on those who must find them.
The rescue team is stretched thin, with only 900 personnel left after two years of brutal fighting. Without heavy equipment like excavators, single recoveries can take days. The men and women involved in this work risk their lives to uncover the dead, driven by hope for any sign of life.
Al-Shaghnobi once had a moment of stillness as he pulled Malak from under the rubble, her eyes open but no pulse in sight. "It feels good because you found them," he said, "but bad because they're decomposed." Families often wait nearby, overcome with grief when their loved ones are finally found.
The smell of death is a constant companion for these workers, who must don special uniforms and masks to shield themselves from the stench. Al-Shaghnobi has lost his appetite for days at a time, struggling with digestive issues that linger long after the mission is over.
Despite the horrors they've witnessed, many in Gaza's Civil Defense keep going. "It feels like death surrounds us," said Alaa Khammash. "Maybe we're the next ones." For these individuals, recovery of the dead is a strange emotional paradox – bringing closure but also confronting the overwhelming nature of loss.
Their work will continue until every last body has been found and returned to families torn apart by conflict. It's a thankless job that demands strength and resilience from those who choose to do it.
His team was called to a bombed home in eastern Gaza City, where Israeli forces had killed over 30 members of an extended family. The rubble was too heavy for simple tools like hammers and axes; the crew needed to dig deeper. Al-Shaghnobi guided his team down into the wreckage, crawling under collapsed floors as they searched for anyone alive.
However, there's no respite from death in Gaza. With Israeli forces stationed near areas deemed 'yellow zones,' thousands of bodies remain buried beneath rubble. Local estimates put the number at 10,000 and counting – a staggering figure that weighs heavily on those who must find them.
The rescue team is stretched thin, with only 900 personnel left after two years of brutal fighting. Without heavy equipment like excavators, single recoveries can take days. The men and women involved in this work risk their lives to uncover the dead, driven by hope for any sign of life.
Al-Shaghnobi once had a moment of stillness as he pulled Malak from under the rubble, her eyes open but no pulse in sight. "It feels good because you found them," he said, "but bad because they're decomposed." Families often wait nearby, overcome with grief when their loved ones are finally found.
The smell of death is a constant companion for these workers, who must don special uniforms and masks to shield themselves from the stench. Al-Shaghnobi has lost his appetite for days at a time, struggling with digestive issues that linger long after the mission is over.
Despite the horrors they've witnessed, many in Gaza's Civil Defense keep going. "It feels like death surrounds us," said Alaa Khammash. "Maybe we're the next ones." For these individuals, recovery of the dead is a strange emotional paradox – bringing closure but also confronting the overwhelming nature of loss.
Their work will continue until every last body has been found and returned to families torn apart by conflict. It's a thankless job that demands strength and resilience from those who choose to do it.
. Seven years is a long time for Nooh al-Shaghnobi to be doing this grueling quest, he must be taking such an emotional toll. 10,000+ bodies buried under rubble is just mind-boggling - it's no wonder they're feeling overwhelmed.
. It's a tough job, but some have to do it, right? I can only imagine how hard it must be for families waiting nearby, seeing their loved ones finally found... but also knowing they're decomposed 
.
. It's heartbreaking that it has to come to this. These individuals are truly angels on earth, bringing closure but also confronting the pain of loss head-on 
.
alshaghnobi & his team r like real-life heroes, crawlin under debris 4 days @ a time 2 find bodies 
its crazy how they gotta wear special masks 2 protect themselves frm the stink, lol who knew death could smell so bad? 
anyway, i feel 4 them, u can't imagine what they go thru every day. its like, they r tryna bring closure 2 families but also witnessin loss & decay, it's a lot 2 handle 
they put their lives on the line daily just to find peace for grieving families its heartbreaking 2 think about the smell of death being constant companion 4 them 
special uniforms & masks dont make u immune from emotional toll 
. Nooh al-Shaghnobi and his team are literally risking their lives to find these people, and it's heartbreaking that they're still going back out there day after day 
They're risking their lives searching for the dead, and what do they get in return? Days of searching for one person at a time. It's like they're trapped in this never-ending nightmare with no escape 
It's just too much to wrap my head around.
the smell of death must be constant companionship for these workers. it's like they're living in a war zone, even after the fighting has stopped 
. Can't imagine how tough it must be for them, physically & mentally. We need to do more to support these ppl & help 'em find peace 
AND THOSE 10,000 BODIES OR SO... THAT'S JUST CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT 
al-shaghnobi and his team are literally the angels in a war zone