Recent statements from Hamas accuse Israel of returning nearly eight decomposed bodies from Rafah, in southern Gaza, after they were taken from various locations in the enclave. Hamas says the corpses are so damaged they are difficult to recognize and claims this act reveals a broader pattern of disrespect for the dead during the ongoing conflict. The group asserts that organs were removed from several of the remains and decries the move as a grave breach of dignity, calling it a war crime and a direct assault on the sanctity of those lost in the fighting.
Hamas’s spokesperson framed the situation as an additional consequence of the war, describing the exchange as marked by what he called a loss of morality and values on the part of the Israeli military. He insisted that the enemy’s actions amount to more than battlefield tactics, arguing that they amount to the mutilation and desecration of the deceased while they are being handled for identification and repatriation, a process he said should treat the dead with respect.
A high-ranking official from the Hamas-controlled Gaza government echoed these criticisms, accusing the occupying forces of showing a blatant disregard for the dignity of the dead. The official claimed many bodies were unidentified and that signs of vital organs missing were evident, alleging that such removals had occurred repeatedly during the war.
The Gaza authorities stated that graves were dug in Jabalia, in the northern part of the territory, and that several bodies had reportedly been stolen. The official warned that there are still dozens of bodies in Gaza, and called for an international investigation to examine the claims and the handling of the remains.
Israel denied the accusations
A spokesperson for the Israeli government, speaking from Jerusalem, noted that Israeli forces had previously said the remains were being moved for identification to determine whether any were hostages held by Hamas. He argued that the procedures followed align with established international standards for handling deceased individuals in such incidents and emphasized that Israel respects the integrity of the bodies during forensic processes.
The broader context remains the same: the Hamas attack on October 7 resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and the capture of roughly 240 hostages who were brought into Gaza. In response, Israel has launched a wide-scale offensive in Gaza, reporting extensive casualties and injuries. Health authorities in Gaza claim the toll has surpassed 21,000 deaths and 55,000 injuries, with women and children among the most affected, a figure that has fueled ongoing international concern and calls for humanitarian protection and accountability for all parties involved. [Attribution: Public statements by Hamas and the Israeli government; health ministry data from Gaza]