Gaza's Funeral Crisis: Unclaimed Bodies and Overcrowded Cemeteries

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has not only resulted in the loss of loved ones for Palestinians but has also deprived them of proper funeral rites. Overwhelmed hospitals and morgues, along with constant bombardment, have made funerals and grieving nearly impossible. Cemeteries are being forced to dig up long-buried bodies to make space for new victims, and overflowing morgues have led to hasty burials before relatives can claim the bodies. To increase the chances of identification, Palestinian families are resorting to wearing identification bracelets and writing names on their children's bodies. The war has caused immense devastation, with thousands of Palestinians killed and many more trapped under the rubble of their homes and buildings.