In Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, a cemetery is overwhelmed with graves as Sa’di Baraka and a team of volunteer gravediggers work tirelessly to accommodate the continuous flow of deceased individuals. The cemetery, 70 years old, is facing a surge in burials, with approximately a quarter of its graves being recent additions.
The death toll in Gaza during the ongoing 10-month Israel-Hamas conflict has surpassed 40,000, according to the Health Ministry. The densely populated region is struggling to cope with the escalating number of casualties, leading to overflowing morgues and cemeteries. Families, displaced by the conflict, are resorting to burying their loved ones in unconventional places such as backyards, parking lots, and even beneath rubble.
The continuous cycle of death in Gaza has impacted nearly 2% of the prewar population, with uncertainty surrounding the actual number of casualties. The distinction between civilians and militants in the death toll remains blurred. The relentless conflict has disrupted traditional funeral rituals, leaving families to grapple with the challenges of honoring their deceased relatives.
The relentless Israeli military actions have further compounded the crisis, leading to the destruction of over 20 cemeteries and displacing bodies. The chaos has left families distraught as they struggle to locate and properly bury their loved ones. The lack of proper identification and the destruction of graves have added to the trauma experienced by many families in Gaza.
Families like that of Mousa Jomaa, an orthopedist in the West Bank, are facing the agonizing task of searching for the remains of their relatives amidst the chaos of war. The destruction of cemeteries and the unearthing of graves have left many families in despair, unsure of the fate of their loved ones.
The Israeli military’s actions, including the destruction of cemeteries, have exacerbated the already dire situation in Gaza, leaving families like Mahmoud Alkrunz’s in turmoil as they grapple with the uncertainty surrounding the burial sites of their relatives. The ongoing conflict has not only led to an unprecedented death toll but has also disrupted the sanctity of burial grounds and traditional funeral practices in the region.