Forensic specialists in Gaza are currently engaged in the process of identifying a group of deceased Palestinians recently released by Israel, who are believed to have suffered physical mistreatment. Meanwhile, Israel has stated that one of the four bodies returned by Hamas the previous day does not match any of the hostages held in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas comply with the conditions outlined in the ceasefire agreement, emphasizing that Israel will persist in its efforts until the final deceased hostage is repatriated. Subsequently, Israel transferred an additional 45 bodies of Palestinians as part of the ceasefire arrangement, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.
The recent transfer follows the delivery of 45 bodies to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, without identification, bringing the total number of deceased Palestinians released by Israel to 90 since the commencement of the ceasefire. The identity of the bodies, marked solely by numerical references, remains uncertain, raising questions about whether they perished in Israeli detention or were removed from Gaza by Israeli forces.
Dr. Ahmed Duheir, director of forensic medicine at Nasser Hospital, affirmed that their forensic team had observed indications of physical abuse on the bodies. Duheir highlighted that many of the bodies were found with bound hands or feet, while some were blindfolded, and a few displayed early signs of decomposition, complicating the identification process due to limited resources.
Despite receiving names for only three out of the 90 unidentified bodies, health officials have yet to match these identities. Sameh Hamad, a member of the body reception commission at the hospital, noted signs of torture and executions on some bodies, indicating that the deceased individuals were mostly men aged between 25 and 70, with several still wearing straps or ropes around their necks.
The Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital confirmed the receipt of two bodies killed in drone strikes in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood, east of Gaza City, on Wednesday. Meanwhile, concerns have arisen over the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza following a brief suspension, with the Egyptian Red Crescent dispatching 400 trucks carrying essential supplies, amidst ongoing disputes between Israel and Hamas regarding the repatriation of deceased hostages.