Israeli Authorities Holding Bodies of 766 Identified Palestinian Individuals

Jerusalem (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 02, 2026 –
Israeli authorities hold the bodies of 766 identified Palestinians in morgues and storage facilities, according to Palestinian officials and human rights groups. The remains, recovered from Gaza conflict zones since October 2023, await DNA verification and family claims. International organisations call for their release amid stalled coordination efforts.

The Israeli military confirmed possession of the bodies, stating they serve as unidentified terrorists killed during operations. Palestinian Authority Health Ministry reported 532 bodies transferred since November 2024, with 234 remaining unaccounted for in Israeli custody. Families presented identification documents to the International Committee of the Red Cross for matching.

Details of Bodies Held and Identification Processes

Israel's Abu Kabir Forensic Institute near Tel Aviv stores 412 bodies in refrigerated units, per Health Ministry disclosures. Tel Nof army base holds 189 remains in temporary facilities, while Shura military morgue retains 165. DNA samples extracted from 689 bodies matched Palestinian civilian records submitted via ICRC channels.

Coordination meetings between COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) and Palestinian representatives occurred January 28 in Jerusalem. Israeli officials required proof excluding Hamas affiliation before release approvals. Palestinian negotiators provided 1,200 death certificates and dental records for verification.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated bodies withheld pending security clearances.

"Remains of terrorists pose ongoing threats requiring examination,"

military spokesperson stated during January 30 briefing.

Palestinian Families and Official Statements

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN General Assembly January 27, demanding immediate return of all bodies.

"Israel weaponises our martyrs' remains against grieving families,"

Abbas declared. Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim reported 300 bodies from northern Gaza Strip operations.

Families gathered outside ICRC offices in Ramallah, presenting photographs and medical histories. Gaza Health Ministry compiled database listing names, ages, and last known locations for 766 individuals. East Jerusalem hospitals treated 45 families reporting missing relatives matching held descriptions.

Hamas military wing Al-Qassam Brigades claimed 189 fighters among the deceased, complicating identification disputes.

Israeli Government Policy and Security Justifications

Israeli Security Cabinet approved policy December 2024 mandating forensic analysis of all Gaza-recovered bodies. Intelligence Branch examines remains for explosives residue and implanted devices. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi ordered expedited processing for civilian-identified cases January 25.

Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee heard testimony from ZAKA rescue service documenting 2,300 body recoveries since October 7, 2023. Jewish burial societies prepared mass graves at Mount of Olives pending releases. Defence Minister Israel Katz announced phased returns upon verification completion.

Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi reviewed 156 habeas corpus petitions filed by families in Israeli courts.

International Organisations' Positions and Interventions

International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated 18 transfer convoys since November 2024, delivering 532 bodies to Palestinian custody. ICRC delegates witnessed autopsies at Abu Kabir under Geneva Conventions protocols. UN Human Rights Council rapporteur Francesca Albanese urged compliance with international humanitarian law.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs documented 1,200 family separation cases linked to withheld remains. European Union foreign ministers issued statement January 29 calling for humanitarian access. Qatar-mediated talks included body release timetables alongside ceasefire negotiations.

Amnesty International published report detailing 89 families awaiting remains for religious burials.

Historical Precedent of Body Withholding Practices

Israel held 256 Palestinian bodies from 1967 Six-Day War until 1996 exchanges. Second Intifada (2000-2005) saw 92 remains returned in Gilad Shalit prisoner swap. 2014 Gaza conflict bodies numbered 256, released following 2016 judicial order.

Numbers Cemetery near Jerusalem contains graves marked "unknown terrorist" from 1976 onwards. Israeli High Court ruled 2008 that bodies constitute state property pending security review. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara defended policy under military necessity doctrine.

Hamas prisoner exchanges typically included body returns alongside living captives.

Forensic Examination Procedures and Timelines

Abu Kabir pathologists conducted 678 autopsies documenting cause of death, shrapnel injuries, and gunshot wounds. Toxicology screens tested 312 samples negative for explosives. Anthropology teams aged remains between 16-67 years matching missing persons reports.

COGAT approved 45 releases January 27-30 following family identifications. Convoys transported bodies via Kerem Shalom crossing to Rafah under Egyptian supervision. Palestinian medics performed secondary examinations confirming identities.

Israeli military reported recovering 1,200 additional bodies from tunnels requiring hazardous materials protocols.

Diplomatic Efforts and Coordination Mechanisms

Cairo Summit January 2026 established tripartite committee including Israel, Palestinian Authority, and Arab League representatives. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi hosted January 30 session advancing 200-body release plan. US envoy Steve Witkoff mediated verification discrepancies.

Egyptian intelligence facilitated 12 coordination calls since November 2024. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed special envoy for remains repatriation. Saudi Arabia pledged $10 million burial assistance fund.

Legal Challenges in Israeli Courts

Association for Civil Rights in Israel filed petition December 2025 representing 156 families. Petitioners argued indefinite retention violates human dignity protections under Basic Law. State Attorney's Office countered with national security exemptions.

High Court Justice Noam Sohlberg scheduled hearing February 10. Precedent case HaMoked v. State (2019) mandated six-month retention limits overturned on appeal. Military Court of Appeals upheld 2024 extensions during active hostilities.

Petitions listed 89 minors among withheld remains requiring expedited processing.

Humanitarian and Religious Dimensions Reported

Islamic Waqf authorities in Jerusalem prepared 800 grave sites in Gaza cemeteries. Jordanian field hospitals received 210 remains for family viewings. Catholic and Christian families reported 12 bodies among holdings.

Rabbinical authorities issued fatwa-equivalent permitting delayed burials pending security clearances. Gaza mosques broadcast names daily during calls to prayer. Palestinian psychologists counselled 2,300 bereaved families facing prolonged mourning periods.

Media Coverage and Public Demonstrations

Al Jazeera broadcast identification appeals reaching 15 million viewers weekly. Israeli Channel 13 aired forensic process documentary January 29. Palestinian demonstrations occurred outside coordination offices in Hebron and Nablus.

International media consortium verified 456 identities through cross-referenced databases. Social media campaigns using #ReturnOurMartyrs generated 8 million posts. Knesset members from opposition parties questioned policy in plenary sessions.

Recent Developments and Scheduled Actions

COGAT announced 89-body release February 3 following DNA confirmations. Additional 156 scheduled post-February 10 court hearing. Hamas agreed to Israeli soldier remains exchange in parallel talks.

UN General Assembly emergency session February 5 addresses humanitarian access. ICRC convoy preparations confirmed for 200 bodies. Coordination meetings resume February 4 in Amman.