Interior Minister: 455 Victims Not Yet Identified

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel reported to the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee on the handling of the victims murdered in the Hamas terror attack on Gaza Perimeter settlements.

The report took place at the committee headed by MK Yaakov Asher, with the participation of local government leaders.

Arbel addressed the number of civilians murdered in the terror attack: “As of this morning, 959 bodies have reached the Shura camp, of whom 504 were identified, 297 have not yet been identified.”

Moshe Arbel at the Internal Affairs Committee. (Photo: Knesset Spokesperson)

“The delay in identification of the victims was due for a number of reasons, including a lack of identifying signs and the deteriorated state of bodies burned or mutilated by the terrorists.”

"Of the bodies not yet identified, 158 were directed to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.”

“514 burial licenses have been issued so far. These are very serious numbers.”

It should be noted that these numbers are added to 293 IDF dead already identified, amounting to 1,250 total murdered and killed in the terror attack.

Furthermore, another 199 kidnapped are being held captive by Hamas, according to the IDF, as well as dozens of missing.