Crisis of Missing Persons in Gaza Deepens Amid DNA Testing Ban

The issue of missing persons in the Gaza Strip is intensifying, with hundreds of unidentified bodies being buried due to Israel's prohibition on DNA testing devices. This situation threatens to evolve into a long-term humanitarian and social crisis. As time progresses, the likelihood of identifying the deceased diminishes, particularly as thousands of bodies remain trapped beneath the rubble of homes destroyed in years of conflict.

Uncertainty for Families

Since losing contact with her husband, Abdullah Ramzi Al-Qassas, on October 7, 2023, Kawkab Sayam has endured a prolonged state of uncertainty. Her husband disappeared after leaving their home in the Zeitoun neighborhood, and she continues to grapple with her situation, oscillating between hope and despair. She expressed, "I don’t know if my husband is alive or dead... Sometimes I just wish to know, even if he is detained," highlighting how the absence of medical laboratories has eliminated any possibility of ascertaining his fate or finding solace regarding his condition.

Challenges in Identifying Victims

Ahmed Dhahir, Director General of Forensic Medicine in Gaza, stated that the lack of DNA testing capabilities significantly complicates the identification of bodies. He noted that the destructive nature of the weapons used has caused severe decomposition and fragmentation of remains, with some bodies being scavenged by animals, especially in areas inaccessible to rescue teams. Furthermore, the deaths of several forensic pathologists have exacerbated the situation, diminishing the medical teams' capacity to conduct diagnoses.

Temporary Solutions in Place

Dhahir indicated that remains received by forensic medicine are preserved for a legally mandated duration before being interred in designated cemeteries marked with identification codes. There is hope that, in the future, the entry of DNA testing devices will be permitted before the remains decompose, preserving the last threads of hope for families.

Calls for International Action

Mahmoud Ashour, spokesperson for forensic evidence in Gaza, urged immediate international intervention to pressure Israel into allowing the entry of essential technical equipment, particularly DNA testing laboratories. He emphasized that denying Gaza access to these resources not only poses a technical barrier but also constitutes "an affront to the dignity of the victims and a continuous suffering for their families," who are desperately seeking answers about their loved ones' whereabouts.