Red Cross Thousands missing in Gaza and challenges in identifying the bodies of martyrs

Amani al-Naouq, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza, confirmed today that thousands of Palestinians remain missing as a result of the Israeli occupation’s war of extermination on the Gaza Strip since October 2013. She noted that families continue to search for information about the fate of their relatives.

In an exclusive interview, al-Naouq emphasized that the ICRC continues to support all parties and coordinate with families in the hope of enabling more of them to receive answers about the fate of their loved ones. She expressed hope that the handover of the bodies of martyrs by the occupation would help some families turn the page on a painful chapter of their suffering.

She explained that the transfer of the bodies, facilitated by the ICRC, falls within its neutral humanitarian role and is carried out in coordination with relevant parties. She noted that last night, the Israeli occupation, through the ICRC, handed over the bodies of 54 Palestinian martyrs from the Gaza Strip that had been held by them. The bodies were transferred to al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City for identification, in accordance with the procedures of the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The ICRC stated that it facilitated the unilateral return of Palestinian remains to Gaza in its capacity as a neutral humanitarian intermediary and in coordination with relevant parties. It explained that it provided specialized containers for preserving the bodies, refrigerated vehicles, and trained personnel to ensure the dignified and respectful transport of the remains to the Gaza Strip.

The ICRC added that the forensic authorities in Gaza will begin their work to identify the remains, noting that the process is not without its challenges given the limited resources and capabilities. It emphasized that the Ministry of Health and the Forensic Medicine Department