Gaza Forensic Department: 700 Bodies recovered since ceasefire; 8,500 still missing under rubble

The spokesperson for the forensic department in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Ashour, said on Sunday that since the ceasefire on October 10, specialized teams have recovered around 700 bodies, while more than 8,500 people are still missing under the rubble.

Ashour told Sanad News Agency that the bodies reaching forensic teams are, in many cases, severely damaged or reduced to fragmented remains, making identification difficult.

He added that many families are unable to confirm the identities of their relatives. In some cases, more than one family believes the same body belongs to their loved one, and due to the lack of precise identification methods, some families proceed with burial despite uncertainty.

The Gaza forensic spokesperson called for the entry of DNA testing laboratories and necessary equipment into the Strip, stressing that the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe requires advanced technical capabilities to identify victims and help bring closure to their families.