In the aftermath of one of the most intense Israeli bombardments of Gaza, families are resorting to unique measures to ensure the identification of their loved ones. Palestinians have been forced to bury many of the unidentified dead in mass graves, marking them with a mere number due to the sheer volume of casualties.
In light of these circumstances, families like the Al Daba’s have adopted a strategy of using identification bracelets. Ali Al Daba, 40, spoke of the harrowing sights of bodies torn apart by the bombings, rendering many of them unrecognizable. To avoid the potential misidentification or anonymous burial of his family members, Al Daba distributed blue string bracelets, hoping they would serve as a beacon in the direst of situations. “If something happens,” Al Daba remarked, “this way I will recognize them.”
This precaution isn’t exclusive to the Al Daba family; other residents are also using bracelets or resorting to writing names on their family members’ arms as a form of identification.
Due to the situation’s severity, local Muslim clerics have sanctioned mass burials. Medics are documenting the dead by taking pictures and blood samples, assigning numbers for identification.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have urged residents to move south, away from the north of the Gaza Strip, citing it as a measure for safety. However, the entirety of the Hamas-ruled region has experienced air strikes. An Israeli military spokesperson explained that the IDF aims to target Hamas installations, even if they are interspersed within civilian areas, though they try to minimize civilian harm.
The international community is growing increasingly alarmed. Following one of the deadliest days since the conflict’s onset on October 7, there have been widespread calls for a ceasefire, primarily to allow essential supplies into Gaza.
The recent figures released by Gaza’s health ministry paint a grim picture. In the past day alone, 756 Palestinians have been reported dead, including 344 children. Since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, at least 6,546 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli air strikes, 2,704 of which were children.