Thousands of war victims from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas remain buried under the rubble of destroyed homes across Gaza, creating severe health and environmental risks. Palestinian officials estimate that thousands of bodies are still trapped, with Israel preventing the necessary equipment to recover and bury them.

The civil defense spokesperson in Gaza, Mahmoud Bassal, stated that approximately 14,000 bodies remain under the rubble. The civil defense teams lack the proper equipment to retrieve these bodies, as their equipment has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli forces. Bassal emphasized the need for heavy and advanced machinery, which Israel continues to block.

Medical experts warn that the decaying bodies pose a significant health hazard, especially as the remains mix with soil and water. Dr. Ashraf Zaqout, an internal medicine specialist in Gaza, explained that the war's health repercussions will last for decades, particularly concerning bacterial diseases and epidemics. The decomposition of bodies will contaminate soil and groundwater, risking the spread of diseases like cholera and respiratory infections.

The Gaza Ministry of Health is already monitoring the public health consequences of the decaying bodies, with concerns about the spread of harmful bacteria in water sources used for drinking and agriculture. Officials fear diseases such as hepatitis, cholera, skin infections, and tuberculosis could further worsen the humanitarian crisis.

Urgent international intervention is necessary to provide medical supplies and equipment to address these health risks, and pressure must be applied on Israel to allow the entry of essential materials for rescue and relief efforts.