IDF Response to Recent Allegations Regarding Returned Bodies of Palestinians

As part of the implementation of the current ceasefire agreement, the IDF returned to Gaza bodies of Palestinians that have been held in Israel.

Following the return of the bodies, claims were raised alleging that these bodies bore signs indicative of abuse or execution. According to reports, these allegations originated from local sources within the Gaza Strip’s Ministry of Health, which operates under the control of the terrorist organization Hamas.

The IDF categorically denies these baseless allegations.

The IDF adheres to a well-defined and regulated procedure that includes a long-standing mechanism for handling bodies collected from combat zones — including in relation to documenting, preserving, and returning them to Gaza. The bodies are returned under refrigeration and in coordination with various parties in the Gaza Strip. The process is conducted under legal oversight, in adherence to proper procedures and with full documentation.

Contrary to claims, none of the bodies returned to Gaza thus far as part of the ceasefire agreement are of Palestinians who were held in detention facilities.

The bodies that were returned belong to Hamas terrorists and other infiltrators who entered Israel during the October 7, 2023, terror attack and were killed during the fighting or shortly thereafter as a result of their injuries.

Regarding certain claims linking the source of the bodies to the Sde Teiman military base, it is important to clarify that only a small section of the “Sde Teiman” military base is designated for detention facilities. Among other facilities, the base also contains a refrigerated storage site for bodies, which is completely unrelated to the detention facility. The fact that a particular body was held in refrigerated storage at Sde Teiman does not mean that the individual was detained there, and any claim to the contrary is false and misleading.

The allegations against Israel were published without any evidence. The IDF, through mediators, even shared with the Palestinian side photographs of the bodies and DNA profiles in cases where this was possible.

The accusations against Israel regarding the returned bodies are part of a baseless and false delegitimization campaign orchestrated by the terrorist organization Hamas. The media is urged to act responsibly and to refrain from echoing unsubstantiated and unreliable claims. 

The IDF has acted and will continue to act in accordance with the rules of international law, ensuring that all bodies are treated respectfully and in accordance with proper procedure.