Growing risk that thousands buried in Gaza’s rubble may never be identified, says Red Cross

Workers organise graves in Deir al-Balah cemetery, Gaza Strip. Photograph: Amjad Tantesh/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Workers organise graves in Deir al-Balah cemetery, Gaza Strip. Photograph: Amjad Tantesh/The Guardian Growing risk that thousands buried in Gaza’s rubble may never be identified, says Red Cross Exclusive: Recovery efforts remain slow and passing of time makes it more likely they will be skeletonised The International Committee of the Red Cross has said the risk that the thousands of Palestinians buried beneath Gaza’s rubble may never be identified is increasing by the day, as recovery efforts remain slow and many victims have yet to be retrieved, the Guardian can reveal. “There is no doubt that these bodies could soon become difficult to identify,” said Pat Griffiths, the ICRC spokesperson in Jerusalem. “The longer it takes for human remains to be recovered, the more difficult it can be to identify them. The longer the deceased lie beneath the rubble, the more likely they will be in advanced stages of decomposition – even skeletonised – when eventually recovered.” He added: “Forensic experts lose access to circumstantial evidence that can be used to corroborate their identity.” Since the fragile US-brokered ceasefire took hold in October, Palestinians have started digging through an estimated 61m tonnes of debris , about 20 times the combined amount generated by conflicts worldwide since 2008. Beneath the rubble, at least 10,000 people are thought to be buried, according to health officials in Gaza. Some experts believe the number could be as high as 14,000 . Rescue teams have so far been forced to rely on rudimentary tools – shovels, pickaxes, wheelbarrows, rakes and hoes – as well as their bare hands. Repeated requests for Israel to allow the entry of excavators and other heavy machinery, which would significantly speed up recovery efforts, have gone unanswered. “Search and recovery teams need access to all sites where human remains are thought to be located,” Griffiths said. “We know that much of this machinery and equipment remains almost impossible to bring into Gaza right now. And it remains our call, and part of our ongoing direct dialogue with the relevant authorities, to allow the entry of these items and equipment into Gaza.” View image in fullscreen Dr Cristina Cattaneo: ‘When it comes to identification, the more time passes, the slimmer the chances of success.’ Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The Guardian The longer it takes to retrieve a body, the harder it becomes to identify – including by using DNA. Dr Cristina Cattaneo , a professor of forensic pathology at the University of Milan, said: “Time, ultimately, is the greatest enemy of identification. When it comes to identification, the more time passes, the slimmer the chances of success. In the early stages, if a body is relatively well preserved, the face and other distinguishing features may still be recognisable. As time passes, many of the features that allow