Palestinian rescue worker, Ibrahim Hamdan, has been working tirelessly since the recent surge of violence in Gaza.
Despite the dangers posed by Israeli airstrikes, his team is dedicated to rescuing survivors from the rubble of homes destroyed during the ongoing bombardment.
The escalation of violence began when the armed wing of Hamas breached barriers, sending fighters into Israeli towns, resulting in casualties on both sides. This wave of bombardment is among the most intense that Gaza has ever witnessed, with buildings reduced to rubble. The rescue services are overwhelmed, and Hamdan reports responding to around 10 calls a day, with some rescue missions lasting for hours.
The ongoing airstrikes, which occur every few minutes, have caused significant casualties in Gaza, including hundreds of children, according to local health authorities. The destruction has left roads impassable, requiring rescue workers to remove rubble by hand, as they lack heavy machinery such as diggers and bulldozers.
The toll on the emotional well-being of rescue workers has been immense. Hamdan, who was injured during a rescue operation, couldn’t help but think of his own children. Despite the emotional strain, he remains motivated by the hope of finding more survivors.
Regrettably, the danger rescue workers face is not limited to collapsing buildings; on Wednesday, four Palestine Red Crescent emergency medical workers lost their lives when their ambulances were struck in separate incidents. This has further compounded the emotional burden on rescue workers who continue to operate amidst the chaos and destruction.
