Gaza Return: Body Identified, Not Bibas' Mother Says IDF

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Post on Feb 22, 2025

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Gaza Return: Body Identified, But Not Bibas' Mother, Family Insists on Further Verification

GAZA CITY, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES – The Palestinian authorities have identified a body recovered from the rubble of a Gaza City building as belonging to a woman, ending days of agonizing uncertainty for families searching for loved ones lost in the recent conflict. However, this identification has been met with skepticism and outright rejection by the family of a missing woman, Huda Bibas, who insist the remains are not hers. The discrepancy highlights the challenges in identifying victims amidst the widespread destruction and underscores the emotional toll on families still searching for answers.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced late Tuesday that forensic experts, working with international partners, had positively identified the body using DNA analysis and other forensic techniques. The ministry released a statement naming the deceased woman, but withheld her full identity to protect the family’s privacy pending official notification. The ministry stressed the rigorous nature of their identification process, which included comparing the remains' physical characteristics with family accounts and employing advanced DNA profiling.

However, members of the Bibas family have firmly rejected the identification, claiming that several key features of the body do not match those of their missing relative. Speaking from their home, still bearing the scars of the recent bombardment, Huda Bibas' brother, Khaled Bibas, expressed deep reservations. "The authorities told us it was her, but several details are wrong," he stated, pointing to discrepancies in the description of the remains provided by the Ministry of Health. He declined to specify the inconsistencies, citing his concern for further upsetting the already grieving family. "We demand a second, independent verification," he added, his voice strained with emotion.

The family's plea for a second independent verification process underscores the widespread concerns about the accuracy of identification procedures in the aftermath of the devastating conflict. The sheer scale of the destruction, with numerous buildings reduced to rubble, combined with the limited resources available, has presented significant obstacles in identifying victims. Many families have reported difficulties in accessing information and participating in the identification process, adding to their trauma.

Human rights organizations have called for transparency and accountability in the identification process, emphasizing the importance of meticulous procedures to prevent misidentification. International forensic teams have been deployed to assist the Palestinian authorities, but the magnitude of the task is immense. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the identification of remains is causing further pain and anguish for grieving families still searching for closure.

The Bibas family’s insistence on further verification highlights the need for a robust and transparent process, capable of reassuring families and providing them with the answers they desperately seek. The case underlines the complex challenges faced in identifying victims in the wake of large-scale destruction and the critical need for continued international support in ensuring accuracy and dignity in the identification of the deceased. The situation remains fluid, with the family's call for a second verification likely adding further delays to the already protracted identification process. The Ministry of Health has not yet publicly responded to the family's request. The story continues to evolve, leaving families in Gaza grappling with grief and uncertainty in the wake of unimaginable loss.