The Palestinian Civil Defense announced on Wednesday that 105 Palestinian bodies had been recovered from the rubble of a residential building destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza. The discovery was made after 17 days of searching. The building was located in the devastated Al-Taj sector. Families gathered to identify and bid farewell to their loved ones. Rescuers lined up the bodies, wrapped in shrouds, amidst the ruins.
The recovery operation was carried out in coordination with an Egyptian commission, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense. The organization's spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, stated that the victims were civilians with the right to live in peace and security. He reiterated his call for the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip. The incident highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
Among those present at the scene was Taghreed Al-Hanawi, who identified her daughter, Dr. Alia Ramzi Al-Hanawi, and her family members. They were killed in the airstrike along with her husband and four children. Al-Hanawi described the incident as a complete erasure of her family from the civil registry. She expressed relief at finally being able to hold their bodies and bury them with dignity.
Fawaz Ziyara, a relative of the victims who survived the airstrike, estimated that around 300 people were killed in the building's destruction. He claimed that other victims, including missing persons, remained under the rubble. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that 1,431 Palestinians had been killed and 5,026 injured in attacks attributed to Israeli violations of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement.
According to Palestinian authorities, the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip since October 8, 2023, has resulted in over 74,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 175,000 injuries. The authorities estimate that around 90% of the enclave's infrastructure has been destroyed. The ongoing conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with many civilians affected.
The incident in Al-Taj sector is one of many that have occurred in Gaza during the conflict. The area has been severely devastated, with many buildings reduced to rubble. The recovery of the 105 bodies highlights the scale of the tragedy that has unfolded in the region. Efforts to protect civilians and provide humanitarian aid continue.
The Palestinian Civil Defense and other organizations are working to provide assistance to those affected by the conflict. The international community has been urged to take action to protect civilians and support humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The situation remains dire, with many lives lost and infrastructure destroyed.
Key points
- 105 Palestinian bodies recovered from rubble of residential building in Gaza
- Israeli airstrikes have resulted in over 74,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023
- Around 90% of Gaza's infrastructure has been destroyed in the conflict
