Gaza Herald – Palestinian Civil Defense teams recovered the remains of 40 individuals from Sheikh Radwan Cemetery in Gaza City on Tuesday after sections of the cemetery were reportedly excavated and damaged during Israeli attacks in the area.
According to a Civil Defense statement, the recovery operation focused on the eastern section of the cemetery and was carried out in coordination with forensic specialists, criminal investigation teams, and representatives from the Ministry of Religious Endowments. The remains were transferred for examination and identification procedures.
Officials said that extensive ground disturbance and excavation had resulted in the mixing of human remains, making identification efforts particularly difficult. Forensic teams are now working to document and determine the identities of those recovered.
Abdullah Al-Majdalawi, Director of Public Relations and Media for Gaza Civil Defense, stated that many of the remains consist of fragmented bones and severely decomposed bodies, including those believed to belong to children and elderly victims. He noted that the destruction of grave markers and burial sites has complicated efforts by families seeking information about missing relatives.
The recovery comes amid a deepening burial crisis across Gaza. Since the outbreak of the war, many families have been forced to establish temporary and mass burial sites in public spaces, roadsides, and near hospitals due to security restrictions and limited access to established cemeteries.
Human rights organizations and media reports have previously documented damage to several cemeteries across Gaza during Israeli attacks. Such actions have raised concerns regarding the protection of burial grounds and respect for the deceased under international humanitarian law.
