By Ramzi Mahmoud
GAZA CITY/Palestine (AA) - Gaza’s Health Ministry said Wednesday that 54 Palestinian bodies and 66 boxes containing human remains were transferred to the Gaza Strip after they were released by Israel, with delivery carried out through the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The ministry said the bodies and remains arrived at the Al-Shifa Medical Complex aboard Red Cross vehicles, where medical teams immediately began forensic handling in accordance with approved medical procedures.
It said work is being done to complete examination and documentation processes in coordination with relevant authorities and specialized committees, ahead of allowing families to identify the bodies under established protocols.
The Israeli army has continued to violate a phased ceasefire agreement that took effect Oct. 10, despite the US’ announcement in January that the second phase had begun.
That phase includes additional Israeli withdrawals from Gaza and the launch of reconstruction efforts, which the UN estimates will cost about $70 billion.
The ceasefire ended an Israeli offensive that began in October 2023 and lasted two years, killing nearly 72,000 Palestinians and wounding more than 171,000, while destroying about 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure.
*Written by Tarek Chouiref