Introduction: A Grim Mission for Gaza’s Forensic Team
At Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, a small team of exhausted doctors faces an impossible task — investigating nearly 200 bodies returned by Israel under a recent ceasefire deal. With no DNA facilities, limited space, and minimal forensic tools, they are fighting to uncover what really happened to the dead.
The exchange — 195 Palestinian bodies for 13 Israeli hostages — was meant to signal progress toward peace. Instead, it has raised new questions about torture, human rights violations, and accountability.
Chilling Discoveries: Bodies with Tied Hands and Blindfolds
Doctors at Nasser Hospital report that many of the returned bodies show disturbing signs of abuse.
Some arrive naked or half-clothed, with hands tied behind their backs, deep bruises, and visible marks on their wrists, ankles, and necks.
Dr. Ahmed Dheir, head of the forensic unit, described the ordeal:
“We’re losing valuable evidence because we have no cold storage or proper lab. As the bodies thaw, decomposition begins immediately. We can only document what we see before everything fades.”
‘Signs of Torture’ and Forensic Uncertainty
Another pathologist, Dr. Alaa al-Astal, confirmed several cases showing tight restraint marks and bruises suggesting violent treatment before death. Some bodies showed grooves around the eyes and necks, indicating possible blindfolding or strangulation.
However, without full autopsies, doctors say it is difficult to determine whether these injuries happened before or after death.
International forensic experts agree. Michael Pollanen, a Canadian pathologist, described Gaza’s situation as “an international forensic emergency.”
Israel Denies Wrongdoing Amid Calls for Transparency
The Israeli military maintains that all returned bodies were those of combatants killed during conflict and insists its operations comply with international law.
Yet, Gaza’s forensic committee says that out of 195 returned bodies, only six came with identification — five of which were incorrect.
Doctors also allege that DNA samples and death details were withheld, complicating efforts to identify victims.
A spokeswoman for Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office dismissed the reports as “attempts to demonize Israel.”
Families Left in Agony and Uncertainty
Outside Nasser Hospital, families gather daily, clutching photos of missing loved ones. Some have buried unidentified bodies simply to find closure.
“It’s heartbreaking to bury a body not knowing if it’s your brother or son,” said Rami al-Faraa, still searching for his cousin.
The ceasefire may have paused the fighting, but it hasn’t ended the emotional and moral conflict that now grips Gaza.
Conclusion: The Search for Truth Beyond Politics
For Gaza’s doctors, each examination is not just a medical procedure — it’s a quest for truth.
In a region still scarred by war and distrust, these frontline medics are demanding what every human deserves: the right to know how their loved ones died.