Israel has returned the bodies of nearly 90 Palestinians killed during its ongoing military offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. This move has intensified the already dire humanitarian situation in the region and has led to accusations of war crimes from Palestinian authorities.
Yamen Abu Suleiman, the director of the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, reported that the origins of the bodies remain unclear. He expressed uncertainty about whether the bodies had been unearthed from cemeteries by the Israeli army during its ground offensive or if they were “detainees who had been tortured and killed.” The bodies are set to undergo examination to determine the cause of death and establish their identities before they are interred in a mass grave near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
The Gaza Government Media Office has strongly condemned Israel’s actions, claiming that the bodies were sent back as “bones and decomposed remains” in what they described as an “inhumane manner.” The office further alleged that Israeli forces have “stolen” 2,000 bodies since October 7, desecrating dozens of cemeteries in the process. These actions, according to the office, amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Moreover, the Israeli military has been accused of previously digging up graves in areas such as Khan Younis, Jabalia, and the Tuffah neighbourhood in Gaza City. These bodies were reportedly transferred to undisclosed locations, raising serious concerns over the treatment of the deceased and the impact on their families. Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, issued a statement condemning the return of the bodies in a “state of complete decomposition,” rendering the identification of the victims nearly impossible. Hamas described this act as highlighting the “sadism” of the Israeli occupation and likened it to crimes committed by the Nazi occupation army during World War II.
In the absence of an official response from the Israeli military regarding the return of the bodies, it remains unclear what motivated this decision. Historically, Israel has returned bodies only after ensuring that they were not Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attack.
The return of the bodies has further complicated the already tense situation, particularly in Jerusalem, where the Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum has voiced concerns. The group questioned why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would authorise the return of Palestinian bodies outside of a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The forum pointed out that a comprehensive agreement could have facilitated the return of living hostages for rehabilitation and ensured the proper burial of the deceased.
As the regional tension escalates, the desperation among families and friends of the remaining 111 captives, including 39 known to be dead, continues to grow. Critics argue that Netanyahu, who is currently embroiled in a corruption trial, may be prolonging the conflict to appease his hardline coalition partners, thereby jeopardising any potential ceasefire agreement.
