Desecrating graves: ‘Israel’ exhumed 250 bodies in Gaza to search for final captive

• After testing approximately 250 exhumed bodies, ‘Israeli’ authorities identified the remains of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili—the final unresolved captive from the October 7 attacks—through dental records and fingerprints in a Shuja'iyya cemetery.
• The operation has faced significant criticism for violating the sanctity of Muslim burial sites, though the military claims it is working to rebury the remaining Palestinian bodies "in as dignified a way as possible" and will restore the site following the search.

The ‘Israeli’ military exhumed hundreds of bodies from a Muslim cemetery in eastern Gaza City over the weekend as part of efforts to locate the remains of the last known ‘Israeli’ captive.

The cemetery, located in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood, became the focus of intense scrutiny after intelligence indicated that the body of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili might be buried there.

Approximately 250 bodies had been tested, with Gvili's remains ultimately identified through dental records and fingerprints, according to Hebrew media.

The operation has drawn criticism for what many view as a profound violation of religious and cultural norms, particularly the sanctity of Muslim burial sites.

Gvili, a police officer taken during the Hamas Oct. 7 operation, was the final captive whose fate remained unresolved until he was found yesterday.

The ‘Israeli’ military said that the operation involved over 20 dentists in the identification process, and claimed it will rebury all unrelated bodies respectfully while restoring the cemetery.

“The military is now returning all of the other Palestinian bodies in as dignified a way as possible in order to complete the operation,” a report by The Jerusalem Post claimed.

This incident echoes previous allegations of grave disturbances during the assault on Gaza, including reports from 2023 and 2024 where the military excavated cemeteries in search of captives.