Forensic teams at Nasser Hospital in Gaza are examining 195 bodies of deceased Palestinians returned by Israeli authorities over 11 days, and an additional two bodies returned by Hamas. The teams face significant resource limitations, including a lack of DNA testing facilities and cold storage, which complicate efforts to identify the deceased and investigate observed injuries. These injuries include marks consistent with binding, pressure from blindfolds, and other physical trauma. Israeli authorities have provided limited identification information for the returned bodies.
Body Repatriation and Initial Observations
Over an eleven-day period, Israeli authorities returned 195 bodies of deceased Palestinians to Gaza, as part of a ceasefire deal. The Red Cross facilitated the transfer of these bodies in refrigerated lorries. Concurrently, Hamas returned two other bodies, identified as Nepalese and Thai hostages.
Photographs released by Gaza's medical authorities show that some of the returned bodies were decomposed, and arrived either in civilian clothes, naked except for underwear, or displaying multiple signs of injury. Reports from doctors indicate that many bodies had their wrists tied behind their backs, and some arrived blindfolded or with cloth roped around their necks.
Forensic Challenges at Nasser Hospital
The forensics team at Gaza's Nasser Hospital operates from a single room, which lacks DNA testing facilities and its own cold storage units. Dr. Ahmed Dheir, head of the unit, highlighted the absence of adequate cold storage as a primary limitation.
The returned bodies arrive thoroughly frozen and can take several days to thaw. This delay impedes the use of basic identification methods, such as dental history, and prevents more in-depth investigations or post-mortems due to the immediate onset of rapid decomposition once thawing begins. The team currently focuses on taking samples and documenting the state of the bodies as they are received.
Observed Injuries and Marks
Dr. Alaa al-Astal, a member of the Nasser Hospital forensic team, stated that some of the bodies showed "signs of torture," including bruises and marks from binding on the wrists and ankles. Specific observations included restraint marks so tight that blood circulation to the hands was reportedly cut off, leading to tissue damage. Deep grooves were observed around the eyes of some bodies after blindfolds were removed, indicative of significant force. Dr. Astal also noted loose cloths tied around the necks of some bodies, with one case showing a groove around the neck. Determining if death was due to hanging or strangulation would require a post-mortem, which could not be performed on frozen bodies.
Sameh Yassin Hamad, a member of the Hamas-run government committee responsible for receiving the bodies, reported signs of bruising and blood infiltration, which he interpreted as indications of severe beating before death. He also stated that some bodies had stab wounds on the chest or face. Images reviewed by the BBC reportedly showed deep indentations or tightly-fastened cable-ties on wrists, arms, and ankles. One photograph reportedly showed bruising and abrasion consistent with ties used while the person was still alive, while other bodies displayed only deep indentation marks, which would require a post-mortem to determine if the ties were used pre or post-mortem.
Dr. Dheir indicated that the consistent cuffing of wrists behind the body, combined with the observed marks on limbs, suggested that individuals died in that position, describing it as a "violation of international law." One body, dressed in civilian clothing and trainers, reportedly had two small bullet wounds in its back.
Expert Commentary
The BBC consulted three forensic experts from outside the region, including one specializing in torture. All experts concurred that drawing definitive conclusions about abuse or torture was difficult without post-mortems.
Michael Pollanen, a forensic pathologist and professor at the University of Toronto, characterized the situation in Gaza as an "international forensic emergency." He emphasized the imperative for "complete medicolegal autopsies" based on the images, to ascertain the circumstances of death.
Context of Detainment Claims
Cable-ties are reportedly used for transporting bodies in Israel. Allegations of widespread abuse of detainees, including civilians, in Israeli custody have been reported since October 2023, particularly at the military facility of Sde Teiman.
Naji Abbas, head of the Prisoners and Detainees Programme at the Israeli human rights organization Physicians for Human Rights (PHRI), stated that for at least the first eight months of the war, detainees from Gaza were reportedly cuffed behind their backs and blindfolded 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for months. He cited reports of individuals developing serious infections on their skin, hands, and legs due to the cuffs.
Individuals who reportedly worked at Sde Teiman over the past two years confirmed that detainees were cuffed hand and foot, even during medical treatments including surgery. One medic reportedly campaigned to loosen the cuffs and described the treatment of detainees as "dehumanisation." Many individuals detained during the Gaza war are held as unlawful combatants without charge.
Identification Issues
Doctors at Nasser Hospital face the challenge of determining whether the returned bodies are Hamas fighters killed in combat, civilians, or detainees who died in Israeli custody. While some bodies reportedly wore Hamas headbands or military boots, most were either naked or in civilian clothing, complicating role distinction and injury interpretation.
Sameh Yassin Hamad of Gaza's Forensics Committee stated that Israel had provided identification with only six of the 195 returned bodies, and five of those names were found to be incorrect. Dr. Dheir reported that Israeli authorities had not shared full data about the bodies, despite possessing it. DNA profiles for approximately half the total number of dead were received, but no details regarding the dates or circumstances of death, or the time or place of detention, were provided. Gaza's forensic team alleged that Israel had removed single fingers and toes from the bodies for DNA testing.
Responses from Israeli Authorities
When asked about the evidence gathered, Israel's military stated it operates strictly in accordance with international law. The military also stated that "all bodies returned so far are combatants within the Gaza Strip" and denied tying any bodies prior to their release.
Shosh Bedrosian, a spokeswoman for the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, described the reports from Gaza as "just more efforts to demonize Israel" on Wednesday, and suggested that media focus instead on the experiences of Israeli hostages.