In the aftermath of recent Israeli strikes, thousands of Palestinians have reportedly vanished in Gaza, leaving behind little to no trace. Survivors describe scenes of devastation, with homes, schools, and mosques reduced to ruins.
Yasmin Mahani, a resident of Gaza, recounted searching for her son, Saad, after the destruction of al-Tabin school. “We found nothing of Saad. Not even a body to bury,” she told Al Jazeera Arabic. Her story reflects the experiences of many families in Gaza who have lost loved ones.
According to a recent Al Jazeera Arabic investigation, Gaza Civil Defence teams have documented 2,842 Palestinians who have “evaporated” since October 2023. These figures are based on meticulous forensic accounting at strike sites, comparing the number of occupants with recovered remains. Only blood spray or small fragments of flesh are left in many cases.
Experts link these disappearances to the use of advanced munitions, including thermobaric weapons, sometimes called vacuum or aerosol bombs. These explosives generate temperatures exceeding 3,500 degrees Celsius and can obliterate human bodies almost instantly. Russian military expert Vasily Fatigarov explained that such weapons disperse a cloud of fuel that ignites into a massive fireball, destroying matter and leaving minimal remains.
Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said teams follow a “method of elimination” at targeted sites. Families report missing members, and extensive searches often find only small biological traces. Basal stressed that these disappearances are not estimates but verified through careful site investigation.
The situation in Gaza continues to draw international concern. The systematic use of these weapons and the resulting human toll has been described by experts as unprecedented, raising questions about the humanitarian and legal implications of the ongoing conflict.
In other news read more about: Pakistan, Muslim Nations Warn Israel Over ‘New Legal Reality’ in West Bank
This crisis highlights the extreme risks faced by civilians in Gaza and the urgent need for international attention to protect lives and provide humanitarian assistance.
