The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has taken a darker turn as Gazan health authorities accuse Israel of removing organs from Palestinian bodies before returning them to their families.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, several bodies recently handed back by Israeli forces showed missing internal organs — including corneas, kidneys, and livers — along with deep post-mortem incisions and stitching
Dr. Munir al-Bursh, Director General of Gaza’s Health Ministry, condemned the condition of the bodies, saying:
“The bodies of Gaza’s prisoners were returned to us bound like animals, blindfolded, and bearing horrific signs of torture and burns — evidence of atrocities committed in secrecy.”
He added that some bodies appeared to have organs removed, describing it as a “full-fledged war crime” that violates all moral and humanitarian norms (AA News).
Doctors who examined the remains reported that vital organs such as livers, hearts, and kidneys were missing, fueling suspicions of organ theft.
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor echoed these findings and called for a UN-led forensic investigation into what it described as “systematic and deliberate mutilation of bodies.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which helped coordinate the transfer of the bodies, urged all sides to ensure the dignified handling of the deceased, reiterating that it does not conduct autopsies or forensic analysis itself.
The UN Human Rights Office condemned the reported mutilation and mistreatment of corpses, calling such acts “abhorrent and unlawful” under international humanitarian law.
Independent reports, including one from The Guardian, described clear evidence of torture and possible executions, citing doctors who noted that several returned bodies bore restraint marks, burns, and missing organs.
Israel has not issued an official response to the allegations.
Independent verification remains difficult due to limited forensic infrastructure and the ongoing war.
As pressure mounts, international bodies and rights organizations are calling for a transparent, UN-supervised investigation to determine the truth, ensure accountability, and restore dignity to the victims.