Gaza Civil Defense retrieves 11 bodies from under the rubble

Gaza's Civil Defense announced the completion of search operations at the Al-Sawafiri family home in the Zeitoun neighborhood, after three days of work that resulted in the recovery of 11 bodies. The teams moved to another site to continue the mission amid field difficulties.

The Civil Defense apparatus in the Gaza Strip announced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the conclusion of search and recovery operations at the Al-Sawafiri family home in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City. The field operations lasted three consecutive days and resulted in the recovery of 11 bodies from under the rubble. The executive supervisor of the martyrs' recovery file, Muhammad Abu Dan, stated that the specialized teams completed their work at the site and immediately moved to another location within Gaza City to continue search operations. Civil Defense teams face significant field difficulties due to the scale of destruction and the lack of necessary equipment and capabilities.