Over 700 bodies recovered in Gaza, most remain unidentified

The Gaza Civil Defence has announced that more than 700 bodies have been recovered from multiple sites across the Gaza Strip, most of which remain unidentified due to the severe nature of their injuries.

Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Civil Defence, in a press statement, highlighted the severe challenges faced by recovery teams, including a lack of available laboratories and essential equipment necessary for the recovery and identification of the deceased.

Basal highlighted the dire situation on the ground, noting that more than 10,000 bodies remain trapped beneath rubble, with recovery efforts stalled until the necessary equipment is provided.

“This issue will remain unresolved until we have access to the required resources,” he said, stressing the urgent need for an international resolution to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The Civil Defence has resorted to burying unidentified bodies in designated cemeteries, classified as “unknown.”

Basal lamented that “most of these remains consist of dismembered body parts or mere bones,” highlighting the heartbreaking reality faced by families searching for their loved ones.

Israel showing ‘unprecedented disregard’ for human rights in Gaza: UN

The UN Human Rights chief says the Israeli regime has been demonstrating an “unprecedented disregard for human rights” in its military onslaught in the Gaza Strip, calling the humanitarian situation there a "catastrophe."

'14,000 unaccounted for in Gaza'

Meanwhile, the Centre for Political and Development Studies revealed on Tuesday that over 14,000 individuals are currently unaccounted for in Gaza, with estimates suggesting that 2,000 to 3,000 of them have been detained by Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Information Centre.

The whereabouts of these detainees within the Israeli prison system remain largely unknown, adding to the anguish of their families.

The Centre indicated that many of the missing are believed to be trapped under rubble or in areas that are inaccessible due to military restrictions imposed by Israeli forces. These restrictions hinder accurate documentation of the missing and impede rescue teams from reaching victims, further exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

In response to the escalating situation, the Centre has called for international pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian teams access to affected areas. They have also urged for the provision of forensic and DNA testing equipment to aid in the identification of victims.

The Centre stressed the need for an international coordination mechanism among human rights organizations to document violations and hold accountable those responsible.

Furthermore, they urged the need to provide psychological and social support to families of the missing, as many continue to grapple with the uncertainty surrounding their loved ones' fates.

According to UN satellite data (UNOSAT), two-thirds of Gaza's pre-war structures – over 170,000 buildings – have been damaged or flattened by Israeli military forces during the regime's 15-month-long genocidal war on the besieged territory, which killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. 

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk