Efforts to Evacuate the Bodies in Gaza Threaten the Lives of Workers Who Lack Safety Equipment

Illustration of Palestinian casualties due to Israeli attacks (Source: WAFA)

Gaza, Palestine - The Palestinian Gaza civil defense has experienced a serious disease outbreak among its workers after the October 10 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas changed its focus from rescuing survivors from Israeli bombings to evacuating bodies trapped in the ruins during the two-year war.

Respiratory and digestive diseases have spread widely among personnel involved in the operation to evacuate the bodies in recent weeks, said Mohammad Al Midna, director of civil defense public relations.

"At first, we thought this was a common winter illness. But the disease did not go away," Al Midna told The National, as quoted, Thursday 22/1).

"Tests and consultations show a relationship between the disease and the work of evacuating the decaying bodies. Our team is exposed to dangerous bacteria and contaminants, especially without adequate safety equipment," he continued.

"Handling decomposed bodies without proper precautions and equipment can lead to serious health consequences, including dangerous blood-borne diseases," said Dr. Ayman Abu Rahma, director of preventive medicine at the Gaza Ministry of Health.

"With the right procedures and equipment, this risk can be reduced. But Gaza lacks gloves, masks, protective goggles, liquid-resistant clothing, and disinfectants," said Dr. Abu Rahma.

"For more than two years, the blockade (Israel) has prevented the entry of this equipment, causing a severe shortage," he added.

Mahmoud Bassal, a civil defense spokesman, said his team and local volunteers continued to work to find bodies despite a lack of protective equipment, often making direct physical contact with the bodies.

"We have documented many cases of workers falling ill after this operation," said Bassal, who estimates that as many as 10,000 bodies have not been found.

"They have high fever, fatigue, headache, and other symptoms. Although we lack the capacity for a complete medical study, specialists confirm that exposure to bacteria and toxic gases without protection can cause serious illness," he said.

At least one civil defense member, who was among the most active in the work of evacuating the bodies, was confirmed to have died as a direct result, said Mohammed Al Mughayir, director of humanitarian support at the civil defense.

"Doctors agree that his blood disease comes from constant exposure to biological contaminants," Al Mughayir explained.

"We don't have gas detectors, special masks, decent helmets, or protective footwear. What we have is low quality and doesn't meet safety standards," he added.

Another civil defense worker, Qusay Sarsour, has been suffering from kidney disease for three months which doctors say is caused by inhaling toxic gas during evacuation operations.

"Since the beginning of the war, we have been working without protective gear, in very harsh conditions," Sarsour explained.

"I often feel my chest is depressed, like I'm suffocating," he continued.

"A colleague died of a blood disease, and another had a stomach infection or respiratory problems. When we went to pick up the body so that it could be buried properly, we risked our own lives," he said.

Separately, a medical source in Gaza said at least 477 people were killed, 1,301 were injured and 713 bodies were evacuated from the rubble since the ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into force on October 10, 2025, as quoted by WAFA.

In total, the number of Palestinian deaths due to Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip has risen to 71,562, while 171,379 others have been injured since the latest conflict broke out on October 7, 2023.