Bulldozers Clear Rubble in Gaza City as Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Holds

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Bulldozers and rescue teams have begun clearing debris from destroyed neighborhoods in Gaza City as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire entered its third day on Sunday. For the first time in weeks, residents were seen venturing out to search for belongings and assess damage amid a cautious calm that has settled over parts of the enclave.

Local authorities reported that heavy machinery is now being used to remove rubble from main roads to allow access for humanitarian aid and medical vehicles. The truce has enabled limited relief efforts to resume, including the delivery of food, fuel, and medical supplies through monitored border crossings.

Municipal workers and volunteers have been working across Gaza’s devastated districts to reopen streets and reconnect isolated areas. According to local officials, clearing operations have focused on areas near Al-Rimal, Tal al-Hawa, and Shujaiya, which suffered severe destruction during the latest round of airstrikes.

Humanitarian agencies have also stepped up operations, coordinating with international partners to deliver essential goods to displaced families. Thousands of residents remain in temporary shelters, and aid groups continue to emphasize the urgent need for water purification systems and medical assistance.

The ceasefire has provided residents a brief opportunity to begin recovering what little remains of their homes. Families were seen gathering scattered belongings and salvaging usable materials. Power and water shortages persist across much of Gaza, and restoration efforts are being delayed by damaged infrastructure.

Engineers from Gaza’s public works department said preliminary assessments indicate that hundreds of buildings have either been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. Clearing operations are expected to take weeks before full reconstruction planning can begin.

Global organizations have called the ceasefire a necessary step to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) confirmed that its teams have resumed limited operations, while regional mediators continue monitoring both sides for compliance with the truce.

For residents of Gaza, the sound of bulldozers has replaced that of airstrikes, a temporary sign of relief in a city still counting its losses.