Israel-Hamas Conflict: Dozens of Dead Palestinians Burried in Rafah Mass Grave in Southern Gaza

In a somber development, approximately 80 Palestinian bodies, their identities yet to be determined, have been laid to rest in a mass grave located in Rafah, a city situated in the southern region of Gaza.

According to sources within the health ministry controlled by Hamas, the bodies were transferred from morgues and graves to Israel. The purpose of this transfer was to enable authorities to verify that there were no hostages among the deceased individuals.

Dead Palestinians Buried in Rafah

Gazans Bury 80 Bodies Of Palestinians Returned By Israel

(Photo : Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)
RAFAH, GAZA - DECEMBER 26: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image depicts graphic content/death) Citizens bury the bodies of Palestinians killed during the war in a mass grave on December 26, 2023 in Rafah, Gaza. Through the Kerem Shalom crossing Israel handed back 80 bodies of Palestinians during the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.

Per BBC, the individuals were then brought back via the Kerem Shalom crossing located in the southern region of Gaza.
According to Israeli authorities, a total of 240 individuals were reportedly abducted and transported to Gaza. As of now, 129 of these individuals remain unaccounted for, leaving their whereabouts unknown.

A series of attacks on that fateful day, allegedly orchestrated by Hamas, resulted in the loss of 1,200 lives. According to Gaza's health ministry, the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli bombardments has exceeded 20,600.

Israeli forces have reportedly launched a ground offensive into urban refugee camps located in central Gaza. Prior to this offensive, the Israeli military had subjected the densely populated Palestinian communities to intense bombardment.

Additionally, residents were given orders to evacuate the area. Gaza's primary telecommunications provider has made an announcement regarding yet another "complete interruption" of services within the besieged territory.

According to the UN human rights office, over 100 Palestinian lives have been lost in the ongoing bombardment of middle Gaza since Christmas Eve. According to the office, Israel has issued an order for certain residents to relocate.

Residents in central Gaza have reported intense shelling and airstrikes that have caused significant tremors in the Nuseirat, Maghazi, and Bureij camps. In the aftermath of the 1948 war, Palestinians and their descendants have found refuge in the built-up towns, where they have sought solace after being displaced from their homes in what is now Israel.

The camps have become increasingly crowded as a result of the influx of individuals who have fled from the northern region. In a phone interview from Bureij, Radwan Abu Sheitta described the bombing as highly intense.

Palestinians Seek Shelter Amid Ongoing Israeli Intense Combat

The Israeli military has issued an order for residents to evacuate a specific area in central Gaza. Urging them to relocate to the nearby town of Deir al-Balah, this directive highlights the escalating tensions in the region. In a recent development, the military has revealed that it was conducting operations in Bureij.

Furthermore, they have made a claim that they successfully identified a Hamas training camp in the area. In the wake of a series of telecom outages witnessed throughout the war, Paltel has recently announced yet another outage.

NetBlocks, a renowned organization specializing in monitoring internet outages, that network connectivity in Gaza has once again been disrupted. This disruption is expected to have a significant impact, as it is likely to result in a majority of the residents being left without online access.

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan revealed that multiple countries have submitted proposals aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. This development comes in the wake of news regarding an Egyptian proposal, which suggests the establishment of a transitional Palestinian government in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

In his statement, he expressed that Hamas has shown willingness to consider any proposals that would result in a comprehensive cessation of hostilities against their people. The military's announcement of the new battle zone threatens further destruction in a war that Israel says will last for "many months" as it vows to crush the ruling Hamas militant group after its Octotber 7 attack.

Israeli forces have been actively involved in intense urban combat in both northern Gaza and the southern city of Khan Younis. As a result, Palestinians are being forced to seek shelter in increasingly confined spaces, as per WA Today.

Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, held a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, according to official statements from the United States.

In response to US appeals for Israel to reduce civilian casualties and growing international demands for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the military will intensify its engagement in the conflict.