GAZA STRIP. Israel has returned the bodies of more than 80 Palestinians to Gaza following its ongoing military offensive, while airstrikes on Monday resulted in the deaths of at least 18 more people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Yamen Abu Suleiman, director of the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service in Khan Younis, expressed concerns over the origins of the bodies, questioning whether they were exhumed from cemeteries or were “detainees who had been tortured and killed.” He criticized the lack of information provided by Israel regarding the identities and causes of death, calling the situation “a war crime, a crime against humanity.”
The bodies are set to be examined to determine their identities and causes of death before being interred in a mass grave near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The Gaza government media office reported that Israel had sent 89 bodies, describing them as “bones and decomposed bodies in an inhumane manner,” and accused Israeli forces of “stealing” 2,000 bodies from cemeteries since October 7.
There was no immediate response from the Israeli military regarding the body returns. Historically, Israel has stated that bodies are returned only after confirming they are not Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attack on Israel.
No Ceasefire Agreement
In Jerusalem, the Israeli Hostages Families Forum questioned why the transfer of Palestinian bodies occurred without a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The forum’s statement emphasized that a comprehensive deal could facilitate the return of both living hostages and deceased individuals for proper burial.
In southeast Khan Younis, residents reported ongoing Israeli aerial and tank shelling, including in areas under evacuation orders due to alleged militant activity. An Israeli airstrike on Monday killed eight Palestinians in a vehicle near Khan Younis.
The Israeli military confirmed on Monday that it had targeted Abdel-Fattah Al-Zriei, who was reportedly involved in Hamas’ weapons manufacturing department. The strike, which occurred on Sunday, also killed Zriei’s mother in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza.
According to Israeli sources, 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, and 250 were taken hostage. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military campaign, with the majority being civilians. Israel has reported around 330 soldier fatalities and estimates that about one-third of the Palestinian deaths are fighters.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
