SAFA- Amir Abu Al-Amrain, Director-General of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in the Gaza Strip, warned of an unprecedented burial crisis as cemeteries across the territory run out of space following widespread destruction caused by the ongoing Israeli genocide.

He said Israeli attacks have devastated dozens of cemeteries, with material losses estimated at approximately $16 million.

Abu Al-Amrain said Gaza has 62 cemeteries, including public and private family burial grounds, adding that all governorates are now facing a severe shortage of burial space.

He attributed the crisis to two main factors. First, many cemeteries are located behind what is known as the "Yellow Line," making them inaccessible to residents and burial teams. Second, Israel's ongoing blockade and its ban on the entry of construction materials have prevented the building of new graves, forcing residents to rely on primitive alternatives.

Abu Al-Amrain said Israeli forces have targeted 56 cemeteries across the Gaza Strip.

According to him, 41 cemeteries have been completely destroyed, with walls demolished, graves bulldozed and desecrated, and the sanctity of the dead violated. The remaining 15 cemeteries sustained partial damage from direct bombardment, bulldozing, or the demolition of surrounding walls.

He added that the Ministry of Endowments is coordinating with the Ministries of Health, Interior, and Justice through a joint committee tasked with exhuming and recovering the bodies of Palestinians whom families were forced to bury temporarily in hospital courtyards and public squares because of the lack of access to cemeteries.