Title: Over a Thousand Civilians and Soldiers Killed in Gaza War, Identification Process Underway
Subtitle: Families of the Martyrs Await Official Notification, IDF and Police Working to Bring All Dead for Burial
By [Your Name]
[date]
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, more than a thousand civilians and soldiers have lost their lives, with many families still awaiting official notification. Out of the total, 864 civilians were killed in a terrorist attack on settlements surrounding Gaza, and 361 victims have been identified so far. The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) has informed the families of 222 martyrs about their loved ones’ demise. However, the task of identification and bringing the deceased for burial has proven challenging due to the extensive destruction caused by the surprise attack by Hamas.
The army aims to facilitate the burial of all victims by the start of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. Identifying the fallen soldiers is relatively easier as each IDF soldier has a comprehensive database, including fingerprints, dental photographs, certificates, and facial photographs, within the military system. The army is working in coordination with the Interior, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Religion, and the Population Registry to streamline the identification process.
The IDF has also been reaching out to families of missing individuals, informing them that there is no report available at the moment. The objective is to respond to the families while avoiding any mistakes in delivering such sensitive news.
Identifying the murdered civilians poses a slightly more complex challenge. The civilian system lacks the extensive data available in the military records. Additionally, the civilian biometric database in Israel does not offer identification assistance for burial purposes. The responsibility of identifying deceased civilians lies with the police forensic department, but the military provides support by collaborating with the civilian biometric systems. This joint effort aims to ensure a correct and prompt identification of all victims.
To aid the identification process, the security system has started building databases comprising photos, fingerprints, DNA, biometrics, and dental records. However, the diversity in the ages of the victims and the condition of some bodies further complicates identification. Furthermore, the majority of the deceased are residents of the Otaf, where holding funerals amidst ongoing violence remains a challenge.
In the realm of abductees and captives, notifications have been given to 97 families whose loved ones are believed to be in Gaza. Intelligence information and crossing sources continue to aid in tracking missing citizens and soldiers, with Moked 105 actively collecting crucial information on this matter.
As the identification process progresses, the Israeli security establishment remains focused on providing closure to the families while ensuring accuracy in delivering notifications. Efforts are being made to overcome the obstacles posed by the extensive destruction and limited data availability, with the goal of bringing all the deceased for their final resting place.
[End of Article]