In Gaza, a father and his sons are sifting through the remains of their home using only basic tools, a scene that underscores the stark reality of a recovery effort stripped of heavy machinery. Civil defence teams say the absence of such equipment is not merely an inconvenience but a critical barrier to retrieving bodies still trapped beneath collapsed structures. Main Developments Manual labour has replaced bulldozers as families take on the painstaking task of digging through debris themselves. Civil defence teams attribute the slowdown to Israel's continued blocking of heavy machinery, which they say is essential for efficient and safe recovery operations. Each day without proper equipment means more families are left waiting for closure, their loved ones potentially still buried under the rubble. The situation highlights a logistical and humanitarian bottleneck that extends beyond the initial destruction. Read also: Grief at Kathmandu Airport as Avalanche Victims Return Home Background The blockade on heavy machinery is part of a broader pattern of restricted access to essential resources in Gaza, which has faced prolonged conflict and a tightly controlled border. Previous reports have documented similar obstacles, where rebuilding efforts are hampered not just by damage but by the inability to import or operate necessary equipment. Why It Matters The reliance on manual tools means recovery is slower, more dangerous, and emotionally taxing for families already grappling with loss. For the broader community, each delay prolongs the uncertainty and compounds the psychological toll of the conflict, while also hindering any eventual reconstruction. What's Next Without a change in policy regarding heavy machinery, the painstaking process is likely to continue indefinitely. Families and civil defence teams are left to press for access, but the immediate outlook remains grim as they persist with what little they have.