Gaza’s Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday that it has received the remains of 45 Palestinians previously held in Israeli custody through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), bringing the total number of bodies returned under a United States-brokered ceasefire deal to 90, many of which bore horrifying signs of torture and execution.
According to the Health Ministry, medical teams are currently examining, documenting, and preparing the bodies for return to their families “in line with approved medical procedures and protocols.”
The ceasefire deal stipulates that Israel will hand over 15 Palestinian bodies for every deceased Israeli returned. The first 45 remains were handed over on Monday.
At Nasser Hospital, families have gathered awaiting confirmation about their missing relatives.
Forensic experts reported disturbing evidence on several of the bodies, including blindfolds and handcuffs, suggesting possible field executions, according to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera.
Many had gunshot wounds to the head.
Many of the bodies appeared decomposed or burned, with some missing limbs or teeth, while others were coated in sand and dust. Health officials noted that Israeli restrictions on bringing DNA testing equipment into Gaza often force morgues to rely on physical features and clothing for identification.
“There are signs of torture and executions,” said Sameh Hamad, a member of the commission receiving the bodies at Nasser Hospital, according to Al Jazeera.
The bodies belonged to men aged 25 to 70.
Most had bands around their necks, including one with a rope, and while many wore civilian clothing, some were in uniforms, indicating they may have been Palestinian fighters.
Hamad added that the Red Cross provided names for only three of the dead, leaving many families uncertain about their relatives’ fate.
The Health Ministry released a video showing medical workers examining the bodies, noting that the remains would either be returned to families or buried if unidentified.
Earlier, UN described Israel’s use of torture as a “preventable crime against humanity,” including sexual violence, beatings, and dog attacks at sites like Sde Teiman camp. At least 53 Palestinians died in custody from abuse in the first 10 months post-October 7, 2023.
Since October 2023, Israel’s genocide on Gaza has killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, though officials believe the true toll could be much higher, with tens of thousands of bodies still under rubble. Thousands more remain missing, according to the Red Cross and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
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