Unidentified Palestinian bodies with torture marks buried in Gaza

Fifty-four Palestinian bodies returned by Israeli authorities were buried in Deir al-Balah on Tuesday without formal identification after forensic examinations revealed extensive torture marks and advanced decomposition. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed that 165 bodies total have been transferred through Red Cross channels under current ceasefire arrangements, with many showing signs of systematic abuse.

Forensic Evidence of Abuse

Gaza's Government Media Office Director Ismail Al-Thawabta stated that official examinations provided clear evidence of torture conducted by Israeli forces. "The returned bodies bore marks of torture, with some detainees showing signs of execution by hanging or close-range gunfire," Al-Thawabta reported, indicating these findings point to "direct executions" rather than combat casualties.

Identification Impossible Due to Condition

Medical teams documented that the bodies had been held for approximately five days, during which time each was photographed and personal belongings were recorded. However, Al-Thawabta explained that "identification proved impossible due to disfigurement caused by torture," leaving dozens of victims to be buried as unnamed martyrs in temporary graves.

Systematic Documentation Efforts

Despite the deteriorated condition of the remains, Palestinian authorities maintained meticulous documentation procedures. Each body underwent forensic processing with photographs and inventory of personal effects, creating an archive of evidence despite the inability to establish identities for many of the returned casualties in the Gaza Strip.