Palestine (Washington Insider) – The Gaza Civil Defence,
with the ministries of health and religious endowments, recovered 94 bodies in
central Gaza City and moved thousands to cemeteries amid ongoing destruction
and rescue challenges.
As Ramzi Mahmud and Ranis Abu Shamla reported on AA MiddleEast News, the Gaza Civil Defence reported on Saturday, Dec 20, 2025,
that it had recovered 94 bodies of Palestinians from collapsed buildings in
central Gaza City. The victims were taken to the forensic department at Al-Shifa
Medical Complex, the largest hospital in Gaza, where officials are examining
the remains and preparing them for burial.
The bodies will be buried in the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Deir
al-Balah, a city in central Gaza. Rescue teams have faced many challenges due
to damaged roads, destroyed buildings, and ongoing hostilities, which have
slowed recovery efforts.
How many Palestinians remain trapped in Gaza after 70,700
killed?
Thousands of Palestinians are still believed to be trapped
under rubble following the Israeli military attacks that began in October 2023.
Officials mentioned that the widespread destruction has left many
neighbourhoods in ruins and made it difficult for rescue teams to reach
survivors.
Officials warn that the death toll could rise as work
continues. The situation has raised concern internationally, with aid
organisations calling for urgent humanitarian help and safe access for rescue
teams. Families continue to search for loved ones while dealing with the
massive destruction across the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Civil Defence said it has moved thousands of bodies
from scattered and temporary burial sites to official cemeteries across the
enclave. The operation was carried out with the help of the ministries of
health and religious endowments. Authorities said the transfer ensures that the
dead are properly buried and that their remains can be identified.
According to data from October 2023, an estimated 70,700
Palestinians were killed during the course of the Israeli military action
against Gaza, including over 52,000 women and children. In addition, over
171,100 people sustained injuries due to airstrikes and shelling.
The civilian and military attacks caused considerable
destruction to necessities (homes, schools, hospitals, and so forth), as well
as general infrastructure, across the entire area of the Gaza Strip. The
violence ceased on October 10, 2025, when a temporary ceasefire was brokered
between Israel and Hamas.
