The Palestinian Centre for Missing and Forcibly Disappeared Persons has sounded the alarm over the escalating number of missing individuals in Gaza, as Israeli forces intensify their military offensive that began on March 18. Relentless airstrikes and ground operations have reduced residential areas to rubble, trapping countless victims under debris and raising fears of enforced disappearances. The Centre warns that Israeli forces are detaining civilians in undisclosed locations, a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.  

In a recent statement, the Centre highlighted how Israeli occupation forces are obstructing rescue teams from accessing bombarded areas, leaving families in agonizing uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones. The inability to recover bodies or locate missing persons has compounded the humanitarian crisis, with families desperate for answers.  

The Centre called for urgent international intervention to pressure Israel to cease its targeting of civilians, allow unhindered access for rescue operations, and disclose the fate of all missing and detained individuals. It also demanded independent investigations into cases of enforced disappearances and other violations to ensure accountability and transparency.  

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported a staggering toll, with over 630 deaths and 1,170 injuries since the violence escalated. In just the past two days, 130 fatalities and 263 injuries were recorded, underscoring the devastating impact of the ongoing assault.  

This latest wave of violence follows the collapse of a ceasefire agreement and the stalling of negotiations, leaving Gaza’s civilian population trapped in a cycle of suffering. As the international community remains largely silent, the people of Gaza continue to endure unimaginable loss and trauma, with no end in sight to the violence that has ravaged their lives.  

The Centre’s plea for action highlights the urgent need for global efforts to address this humanitarian catastrophe and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes against the Palestinian people.