LIVE: Palestinians in Gaza Bury ‘Unrecognisable’ Bodies Returned by Israel

Palestinians in Gaza are holding mass burials for dozens of bodies returned by Israel as part of a recent exchange involving the remains of Israeli captives. Medical officials say many of the bodies are “unrecognisable” and bear signs of torture and mutilation.

The funerals took place outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and in Deir al-Balah, where bulldozers covered rows of shrouded remains in freshly dug mass graves. Medical staff said the condition of the bodies made identification nearly impossible.

The return of the bodies comes more than two weeks after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect. Yet, Palestinians continue to endure severe shortages of food, clean water, fuel, and shelter, as Israel maintains restrictions on aid entering Gaza despite a ruling by the International Court of Justice ordering it to allow humanitarian relief.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 473,000 Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza since the October 10 truce. Many have found their homes destroyed and basic infrastructure obliterated, with unexploded bombs still littering residential areas.

More than 68,500 Palestinians have been killed in the war, which has left vast portions of the enclave in ruins. Rights groups and a UN commission of inquiry have accused Israel of committing genocide—allegations Israel has vehemently denied.

Meanwhile, Hamas says it has expanded its search for the remains of Israeli captives, with assistance from the Red Cross and Egyptian authorities.