The short version
- A mass funeral was held in Gaza City for 112 people, mostly women and children, killed in a November 2023 Israeli strike on a residential building.
- Recovery efforts lasted two weeks and involved coordination between local civil defense teams and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
- The event underscores the broader humanitarian challenge, with thousands still unaccounted for across the strip as war casualties exceed 73,000.
A large crowd gathered in Gaza City on Monday to attend what is being described as the largest mass funeral held in the territory since the conflict began. The ceremony marked the burial of 112 individuals from the Abu Sharia and Hassayna families, who were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a residential block in the Sabra neighborhood on November 22, 2023. This attack occurred six weeks after the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that triggered the current war.
The deceased included forty children, thirty-eight women, and seven people with disabilities. Their bodies had remained trapped under the rubble of the destroyed building for nearly nine months before being recovered in a complex operation that spanned two weeks. The delay in recovery was attributed to safety concerns and the need for coordination between local authorities and international aid organizations to access the dangerous site.
Footage from the funeral showed rows of remains covered with Palestinian flags, some accompanied by photographs of the victims. Relatives carried the bodies away for burial, a moment described by mourners as bringing a partial sense of relief despite the profound grief. Ali Abu Sharia, one of the attendees, noted that the event allowed families to finally process their loss after a long period of uncertainty.
The recovery operation was conducted by Gaza’s Civil Defence agency, which operates under the Hamas-run interior ministry. The International Committee of the Red Cross provided critical support, including protective equipment, training for safe excavation practices, and access to heavy machinery. Patrick Griffiths, an ICRC spokesperson, emphasized that while confirming death is painful, it is essential for families to achieve closure and mourn according to their traditions.
Mohammed Basel, a Civil Defence spokesman, stated that the multi-story building had been completely leveled during the strike. He estimated that over 180 civilians were inside at the time, with approximately ninety percent killed. Initial rescue attempts failed because crews could not reach the site immediately due to ongoing bombardment and security risks. Relatives later assisted recovery teams by identifying family members and guiding excavators through the debris.
Survivors expressed deep anguish over the loss of young relatives. Nahed al-Hassayna displayed personal items recovered from the rubble, including a school backpack and a child’s shoe, questioning why children were killed in the attack. Yousef Abu Sharia described himself as the sole survivor of his immediate family, having lost parents, uncles, and cousins under the same building. His testimony highlighted the devastating impact on extended family structures.
The Israeli Defense Forces have not yet responded to requests for information regarding the specific targets or justification for the November 2023 strike. The attack took place during a period of intense bombardment in Gaza City. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable, at least 73,377 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began.
This funeral represents only a fraction of the unresolved losses in Gaza. Authorities believe dozens more bodies remain unrecovered at the Sabra site alone. Across the strip, thousands of people are still unaccounted for, with many presumed to be buried under the extensive rubble left by months of aerial strikes. The slow pace of recovery efforts continues to leave families in limbo.
The event occurred against a backdrop of ongoing military activity and political uncertainty. Recent reports indicate that Israeli troops have no plans to withdraw from Gaza without evidence of genuine Hamas disarmament. Meanwhile, new strikes have resulted in additional casualties, underscoring the persistent danger facing civilians. The mass burial serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the long road ahead for recovery and reconciliation.
International observers note that the dignity afforded to the deceased during this operation is significant given the chaotic conditions. The collaboration between local civil defense workers and international aid groups demonstrates a fragile but functional mechanism for handling casualties. However, the scale of destruction means that similar operations will likely be required for years to come as families seek answers and closure.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC World↗Mass funeral in Gaza for 112 Palestinians killed in 2023 Israeli strike
