Palestinian bodies returned by Israel show signs of torture, execution, say doctors

GAZA STRIP: Many of the 90 Palestinian bodies returned by Israeli authorities show signs of torture and execution, according to doctors in Gaza.

This includes the use of blindfolds, handcuffs and bullet wounds to the head, with no other identification provided.

“There were also scars and discoloured patches of skin showing they had been beaten before being killed," said Dr Ahmad al-Farra, head of the paediatric department at Nasser hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis.

"There were also signs that their bodies had been abused after they were killed.”

The Guardian, citing hospital officials, reported that the bodies that were kept in refrigerators in Israel had been returned with numbered labels but no names.

They said Gaza's hospitals, heavily damaged during two years of conflict, have no capacity to carry out DNA analysis.

As part of the ongoing ceasefire deal brokered by the U.S., Hamas is to hand over the remains of Israeli hostages who died during the war.

In exchange, Israel is to return 15 Palestinians' bodies for every deceased Israeli hostage.

Tensions however escalated when Israel threatened to slow down humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing delays in the return of hostage remains by Hamas.

The International Criminal Court is also investigating war crime allegations by both Hamas and the Israeli military in Gaza, including the killing of Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers whose bodies were found in a shallow grave in March.