Key facts
- The ICRC warns that thousands of bodies buried in Gaza's rubble may never be identified due to slow recovery efforts.
- An estimated 10,000 to 14,000 people are believed to be buried under approximately 61 million tonnes of debris.
- Recovery teams lack heavy machinery, and requests for its entry into Gaza have been denied.
- The passage of time significantly hinders identification through forensic methods, including DNA analysis.
- A cemetery in Deir al-Balah holds over 650 unidentified bodies, with hopes of future identification.
- Gaza's hospitals lack DNA testing capabilities, and materials for such tests are not permitted entry.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised concerns that thousands of Palestinians buried beneath Gaza's rubble may never be identified, as recovery efforts are severely hampered.
According to Pat Griffiths, an ICRC spokesperson, the longer it takes to recover human remains, the more difficult identification becomes due to decomposition and the loss of crucial circumstantial evidence. Forensic experts note that time is the greatest enemy of identification, with features becoming unrecognizable and genetic material degrading.
Since a ceasefire in October, Palestinians have been sifting through an estimated 61 million tonnes of debris, with at least 10,000 to 14,000 people believed to be buried. Recovery teams are largely using rudimentary tools, as requests for heavy machinery like excavators to be allowed into Gaza have been denied by Israeli officials.
Dr. Cristina Cattaneo, a forensic pathology professor, emphasized that even DNA identification becomes more complex and less reliable over time. Dr. Ahmed Dahir, Gaza's forensic medicine director, noted that remains can become skeletonized and scavenged within weeks under Gaza's conditions.
A cemetery in Deir al-Balah has been established for unidentified bodies, currently holding over 650 graves, with the hope of future identification. However, Gaza's remaining hospitals lack the necessary equipment for DNA testing, and such materials are not permitted entry.
The lack of identification contributes to profound psychological distress for families, described as "ambiguous loss," leading to depression and trauma. Some individuals have reported being unable to find or confirm the deaths of loved ones, even after returning to sites where bodies were reportedly buried.
The ICRC stresses the importance of allowing access for recovery efforts and equipment to uphold the dignity of the deceased and ensure families have the right to know the fate of their loved ones.