Shortage of Burial Space in Gaza Forces Families to Bury Multiple Bodies in Single Graves

Since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023, over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, highlighting a critical shortage of burial space in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Awqaf Ministry, more than 40 cemeteries have been destroyed since the conflict started, and 60 cemeteries were already full. From seven collective burial sites at hospitals, 529 bodies have been retrieved, while at least 1,200 Palestinians have died even after the ceasefire.

September 23, Kathmandu. The ongoing Israeli attacks, supported by the United States, have caused the death toll in Gaza to rise daily. International media reports reveal a severe lack of adequate burial sites. Many cemeteries have been demolished during the attacks, and the remaining ones are completely full. This dire situation has forced grieving families to seek alternative burial options.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Gaza states that more than 40 cemeteries have been destroyed since the onset of the war. Israeli forces have also restricted access to cemeteries under their control, exacerbating the shortage of burial spaces. Continuous Israeli bombings and forced displacement have uprooted millions of Palestinians, with some areas traditionally used for burials now serving as shelters for displaced persons.

Twenty-year-old Omar Al-Sahawi shared his experience of searching for a burial site for his father. His 40-year-old father, Mohammad, was shot dead near Gaza’s ‘Yellow Line,’ a military zone designated by Israel. Mohammad ran a small shop selling tea and coffee on the street in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City. He was killed on June 10 when he sustained a fatal neck wound.

Omar managed to relocate his father’s body to the Zeitoun cemetery, where many graves are clustered together, many belonging to victims of Israeli attacks. Due to space shortages and challenging conditions during the conflict, many graves are marked only by stones with papers bearing the names of the deceased. Omar said, “Standing between the graves, I saw many burial sites. Sand dunes and people were buried beneath. The graves were just simple stones with a paper showing the martyr’s name. There was no proper structure.”

Currently, the cost of a burial plot is roughly 500 shekels (about $167), which Omar’s family could not afford. Therefore, they had to seek alternatives. Omar explained, “There was no space to create a new grave, so I had to bury my father in my uncle’s plot.”

Government services in Gaza are entirely halted, and the threat of Israeli strikes remains constant. Thousands of Palestinians killed in the conflict remain missing, many reportedly buried in gardens, schools, or hospital grounds. Since the conflict began in October 2023, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed. Though some calm followed last year’s ceasefire, at least 1,200 Palestinians have died since then. Authorities in Gaza have reported recovering 529 bodies from seven mass graves at hospitals.

When Israeli violence subsided briefly, families were able to retrieve Mohammad’s body and take it for a proper burial. According to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, over 40 cemeteries have been destroyed, and 60 were already full at the conflict’s start. Israeli military restrictions have limited access to cemeteries under their control, reducing the number of available burial plots.

Israeli bombings and forced displacement have driven millions of Palestinians from their homes. Areas once designated for burial have become shelters for displaced persons. Gaza officials report a shortage of grave markers and materials, pushing burial costs to between 700 and 1,000 shekels. Where temporary graves are unavailable, burials are sometimes marked by rubble, earth, and tin sheets.

Ikrami Al-Madlal, the media officer for the Awqaf Ministry, stated that 60 cemeteries were already full when the war began. The ministry is searching for new burial sites and faces ongoing challenges relocating bodies from temporary sites to proper cemeteries. (With agency contributions)