- Mass funeral held in Gaza for 112 people, mostly women and children, who were killed in an Israeli strike on a residential block in late 2023.
- The bodies of the victims have only recently been recovered from under the rubble in a two-week-long operation.
- The funeral is said to be the biggest of its kind to have taken place in Gaza.
- Forty-four children, 38 women and seven people with disabilities were listed among the dead from the Abu Sharia and Hassayna families.
- They were killed when a residential block in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City was attacked by Israel on 22 November 2023.
- On that day, more than 300 Palestinians were killed in an airstrike in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood.
- The recovery work was carried out by the Civil Defence, which operates under the Hamas-run interior ministry.
- It is believed that dozens more bodies are yet to be recovered at the site.
- Thousands more people are unaccounted for across the Gaza Strip.
- Gaza's health ministry reports that at least 7,400 people have been reported by relatives as still being buried in rubble.
A mass funeral was held in Gaza City for 112 victims, primarily women and children, who perished in an Israeli airstrike on November 22, 2023. The bodies were recovered after nearly three years under rubble, marking a significant moment in the ongoing humanitarian crisis.12
The victims belonged to the Abu Sharia and Hassayna families, with 44 children, 38 women, and 7 individuals with disabilities among the deceased. This incident occurred during a day of heavy bombardment, just weeks after the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
The recovery operation, conducted by the Civil Defence under the Hamas-run interior ministry, took two weeks, with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Patrick Griffiths, an ICRC spokesperson, stated, “We provide material support - literally the gloves, shovels, protective equipment and body bags they use.”
Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal noted that the building was leveled with over 180 civilians inside, and 90% were killed. He emphasized the challenges faced by recovery crews due to the need for coordination with Israel.
Mourners expressed profound grief, with Ali Abu Sharia stating, “After we managed to retrieve them and bury them, perhaps we can be partially relieved despite the pain of loss.” The ongoing conflict has left thousands unaccounted for, with Gaza's health ministry reporting at least 73,377 deaths since the war began.10
The situation remains dire, with many families still searching for their loved ones buried beneath the rubble.
“Among the dead were 44 children, 38 women and seven people with disabilities from the Abu Sharia and Hassayna clans. The Civil Defence says 157 bodies at the site remain unrecovered, and Gaza's health ministry reports at least 7,400 people still buried in rubble across the strip.”
