Gaza: Gaza’s Health Ministry announced on Saturday that it had received the remains of 15 more Palestinians from Israel through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), under a ceasefire agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency, the latest transfer has increased the total number of Palestinian bodies returned by Israel to 330 since the ceasefire commenced on October 10. The Health Ministry’s forensic teams have successfully identified 97 bodies so far, and they are continuing their examinations in line with approved medical procedures and protocols before releasing the remains to families.
Palestinian authorities have reported that many of the returned bodies show signs of mistreatment, such as evidence of beatings, bound hands, blindfolds, and facial disfigurement. Additionally, these bodies were returned without names, complicating the identification process for families, who are relying on physical markings or clothing for identification. This challenge is exacerbated by the fact that forensic facilities in Gaza are non-operational due to a prolonged Israeli blockade and the destruction of laboratories.
Prior to the ceasefire, Israel was holding 735 Palestinian bodies in what are referred to as ‘cemeteries of numbers,’ as reported by the Palestinian National Campaign to Retrieve Martyrs’ Bodies. Furthermore, the Israeli daily Haaretz disclosed that approximately 1,500 bodies of Palestinians from Gaza were being held at the Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel.
The recent developments occur in the backdrop of Israel’s offensive in Gaza since October 2023, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 69,200 people and injuries to over 170,700 individuals, predominantly women and children. The offensive has left the Gaza enclave in ruins.