The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported that over 6,400 Palestinians have gone missing since October 7, 2023, with many feared trapped under debris, buried without identification, or detained by Israeli forces. The numbers are expected to rise as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens.
According to the ICRC, over 1,100 new cases of missing persons have been registered since April, with many more families unable to locate their loved ones. ICRC spokesperson Sarah Davies highlighted the urgent need for assistance in tracing missing family members, stating that their hotline receives up to 2,500 calls per week.
The situation has been exacerbated by the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which has left the enclave of 2.3 million people in ruins. The death toll has surpassed 38,000 Palestinians, with many more at risk of famine and homelessness.
Israel’s brutal tactics have also been accused of constituting genocide by many international organizations and human rights groups. A case is currently underway at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.