Report on Meeting with Forensic and Legal Authorities Regarding the Issue of the Remains of Martyrs

As part of the Association’s legal and human rights activities in monitoring and documenting human rights violations in the Palestinian territories, the Association participated in a joint meeting that brought together several human rights and legal organizations, along with representatives from the Forensic Medicine Department, the Criminal Evidence Department, and the Committee for the Reception of Martyrs’ Remains.

During the meeting, Dr. Ahmad Dhahir, Head of the Forensic Medicine Department, and Dr. Loay Asfour, representing the Ministry of Health and serving on the Committee for the Management and Handover of Martyrs’ Remains received from the Israeli side, provided a detailed overview of the committee’s work mechanisms and the procedures followed during the handover process.
The discussion also addressed the distinctive physical markers that assist families in identifying the bodies of their loved ones, as well as the role of the Forensic Medicine Department in identification and examination using the limited resources currently available.

Participants reviewed the administrative and procedural steps adopted by the relevant bodies and conducted on-site observations of several bodies to assess their condition upon receipt from the Israeli side.

All participating parties emphasized the severe lack of modern technical capabilities required to accurately identify the remains, particularly given that the Israeli authorities do not provide any accompanying information or documentation with the remains. Instead, they rely solely on a numerical identification system, without disclosing the identities of the deceased.