Sun Oct 26 21:44:37 UTC 2025: Summary:
Israel is restricting the entry of heavy machinery into Gaza, hindering efforts to clear debris and rebuild infrastructure, according to Gaza City’s mayor. Only a small number of trucks have entered, while at least 9,000 Palestinians remain buried under rubble. However, Israel has allowed the Red Cross and Egyptian teams, with heavy machinery, to enter specific areas beyond the ceasefire line to search for the remains of Israeli captives. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated Israel controls which foreign forces operate in Gaza. Unexploded ordnance, estimated at tens of thousands of tonnes, poses a significant threat, especially to children, with hundreds already killed or injured. Clearing these explosives will take years and millions of dollars. Palestinians are urgently calling for faster reconstruction and freedom of movement.
News Article:
Gaza Reconstruction Hampered by Israeli Restrictions, UXO Threat; Red Cross, Egyptian Teams Search for Captives’ Remains
Gaza City – Reconstruction efforts in Gaza are severely hampered by Israeli restrictions on the entry of heavy machinery, according to Gaza City Mayor Yahya al-Sarraj. While Israel has allowed the Red Cross and Egyptian teams, along with equipment, to enter specific zones to search for the remains of Israeli captives, the broader effort to clear debris and rebuild vital infrastructure is stalled.
“We need at least 250 heavy vehicles and 1,000 tonnes of cement to maintain water networks and construct wells, but only a handful of trucks have entered,” said Mayor al-Sarraj. At least 9,000 Palestinians are believed to be buried under the rubble.
An Israeli government spokesperson confirmed that the Red Cross and Egyptian teams have been permitted to move beyond the established ceasefire “yellow line” to locate captives’ remains. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel maintains control over which foreign forces operate within Gaza.
The situation is further compounded by the presence of tens of thousands of tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO), remnants of the conflict. Experts estimate that clearing these explosives, including landmines and large bombs, could take years and cost millions of dollars. Children are particularly vulnerable, with hundreds already injured or killed after mistaking UXO for toys.
“It’s a public health catastrophe waiting to unfold,” said Dr. Harriet from al-Shifa Hospital, describing injuries sustained by children who encounter live explosives disguised as harmless objects.
Palestinians are urgently calling for the lifting of restrictions and a swift reconstruction process. “They want reconstruction, they want freedom of movement, and they want to see and feel that the ceasefire is going to make it,” said Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Gaza.
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