Dozens of Palestinian bodies handed over by Israeli forces show disturbing signs of torture, execution, and injuries inflicted by military operations. On Tuesday, approximately 45 unidentified remains were returned to Gaza through the International Committee of the Red Cross, part of the prisoner and remains exchange under the recent ceasefire. Some bodies were recently killed, while others arrived in a decomposed or partial state.

Hospital sources reported severe abuse, including broken bones, bound limbs, blindfolds, and mutilations. Some victims are believed to have been run over by tanks on 7 October 2023. A further 45 bodies were returned on Wednesday, with examinations ongoing. Under the agreement, Israel has so far returned 90 Palestinian bodies, with an estimated 400 more expected, while Hamas has released 20 living Israeli prisoners and seven deceased prisoners.

The practice of withholding Palestinian bodies has a long history dating back to 1948, with many buried in unmarked “cemeteries of numbers” or kept in Israeli custody. Human rights groups have repeatedly condemned this policy, which violates international humanitarian law requiring that the dead be treated with dignity, properly buried, and identifiable. The National Campaign for the Retrieval of Palestinian and Arab War Victims’ Corpses reports that at least 735 Palestinian remains are currently held, including women and children, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian and legal crisis surrounding these deaths.