Key facts
- Thousands of Palestinians buried under Gaza's rubble may never be identified, according to the ICRC.
- Slow recovery efforts and decomposition are making identification increasingly difficult.
- Gaza is covered in an estimated 61.5 million tonnes of debris, with three-quarters of buildings destroyed.
- Recovery teams lack heavy machinery, and access requests have been denied.
- Environmental conditions and the passage of time degrade crucial identifying evidence.
- A cemetery in Deir al-Balah contains over 650 unidentified bodies.
Thousands of Palestinians trapped beneath the rubble in Gaza may never be identified, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned, citing slow recovery efforts and the large number of bodies yet to be retrieved. Pat Griffiths, an ICRC spokesperson, stated that the longer it takes for human remains to be recovered, the more difficult identification becomes due to decomposition and the loss of crucial circumstantial evidence like fingerprints and dental records.
Environmental conditions such as humidity and animal activity can further erase vital clues. Gaza is buried under an estimated 61.5 million tonnes of debris, with three-quarters of its buildings destroyed, according to UN data. Recovery efforts are hampered by a lack of heavy machinery, as requests for excavators and other equipment to enter Gaza have been denied.
The Palestinian Civil Defence reported in February that around 8,000 bodies remained trapped under rubble, with over 3,000 others missing. 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 hospitals lack DNA testing capabilities, and materials for such tests are not permitted entry.