Israel is continuing to violate the Gaza ceasefire by blocking construction materials, equipment and temporary housing from entering the territory. The shortages have stalled rebuilding efforts, forcing residents to improvise using rubble from destroyed buildings. At Gaza City’s seaport, an informal industry has emerged, where families — including children — break down old cement for resale. Workers collect discarded concrete, sell it by weight and send it to small grinding sites for reuse in basic construction. The fragile supply chain is driven by necessity, with no cement or steel entering Gaza since the war began. But the work is hazardous, with injuries common and little to no protective equipment, especially for children. Residents say they have no alternative as they struggle to rebuild amid ongoing restrictions.
