Gaza Herald – Gaza’s Civil Defense announced on Thursday that it had recovered 25 bodies from beneath the ruins of a home in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, including journalist Hiba Al-Abadla and her mother, who were killed during Israel’s genocidal assault. Rescue teams began excavation operations early Thursday to locate the missing under debris left from two years of bombing.
The operation was carried out in coordination with forensic teams, the Red Cross, Gaza reconstruction authorities, emergency response units, health and religious ministries, and the victims’ families. Due to Israel’s restrictions, teams relied on rudimentary equipment and limited heavy machinery, slowing recovery efforts.
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, 2025, body recovery operations have largely depended on civilians, as Israel continues to block the entry of the heavy machinery necessary to lift tons of rubble. Authorities said the restrictions violate the humanitarian provisions of the truce and obstruct efforts to identify the dead.
Identification of the recovered remains relied on families’ recognition of distinguishing features or clothing, amid a shortage of specialized medical and forensic tools, highlighting the ongoing struggle to account for those buried under the ruins left by Israel’s prolonged attack.
