Mass funeral held in Gaza for 112 people killed in Israeli strike
The group being laid to rest were members of two extended families in Gaza, with some gathered for the event describing it as the largest funeral in the war-ravaged strip's history.
The bodies of 112 Palestinians, including over 40 children, were laid to rest in Gaza following Israeli strikes that killed them almost three years ago. More than 150 others remain trapped beneath the rubble of a destroyed building in Gaza City's Sabra neighborhood, according to the local Civil Defense agency. The mass funeral took place amid ongoing debates over Gaza's future, following Hamas' announcement that it is prepared to disarm amid Israeli attacks.
Hundreds of mourners, many carrying the bodies, gathered in an open area cleared of debris for the service, displaying banners with photos of the deceased and chanting "God is great." Gaza's Civil Defense spent 17 days digging through the debris, retrieving the remains of the victims, but the exact cause of death and circumstances remain uncertain due to the extensive damage and decomposition.
The families of the victims hope the remains will bring some closure and peace. Israel has consistently denied allegations of genocide in Gaza, while Hamas has proposed disarmament in exchange for an end to Israeli attacks and the withdrawal of its forces from large areas of the territory. The recent meeting between Hamas and officials from the US-backed Board of Peace aimed to establish a framework for this disarmament, but Israeli officials have criticized the proposal, claiming it shifts the goalposts.
The mass funeral underscored the ongoing struggle and loss faced by the people of Gaza in the wake of the conflict.
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