Civil Defense: International organizations will join the search for the martyrs’ bodies

The Civil Defense Authority in Gaza announced the postponement of the start of operations to recover the bodies of those killed in the 2006 Gaza war from under the rubble, due to the involvement of international organizations in the search teams.

The Authority’s spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, confirmed in a press statement on Saturday that the delay in announcing the start of the first phase of the search and recovery operations was due to international organizations contacting them and requesting to be part of the operation.

He indicated that these organizations would provide equipment, supplies, and working hours, and confirmed that they had requested a two-day wait before commencing operations.

He said: “The operation will begin within two days, and this will be announced to the public.”

The Civil Defense Authority had previously announced that it would begin the first phase of the search and recovery of the bodies of war martyrs on Saturday, using a bulldozer and a single excavator, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The number of martyrs missing under the rubble from the two-year 2006 Gaza war exceeds 9,000.