Thousands of Palestinians remain missing three years into Gaza war

Three years into the conflict in Gaza, Palestinian families continue searching for thousands of relatives who vanished during Israeli military operations. The Independent Commission for Human Rights reports that more than 11,000 people in the strip remain unaccounted for today.

This figure includes individuals believed to be buried beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings. It also encompasses those suspected of enforced disappearance after losing contact with their families during ground attacks or displacement efforts across the besieged territory.

A local rights group calculates that up to 3,000 individuals may have been subjected to forced disappearance. These cases involve persons who went missing from the start of hostilities through the ceasefire declared on 9 October 2025.

Israeli authorities have withheld the names of all detainees taken from the strip. They have also failed to identify approximately 620 bodies returned to Gaza, leaving families unable to confirm the fate of their loved ones or begin proper mourning rituals.

Nidal al-Waheedi, a journalist, disappeared in early October 2023 while covering events at the Erez crossing. His father Suhail stated that they have spent three years waiting for news, noting that the lack of information prevents them from accepting his death.

Mona Hajjaj lost contact with her husband and son in December 2023 after Israeli forces stormed their home. Her daughter Nisreen reported that the family refuses to accept their deaths without official confirmation, despite the severe emotional toll this uncertainty has caused.

Alaa Abu Shaaban has not heard from his brother Mohammad since October 2023. He continues to show photographs to released detainees, hoping for information, while grappling with the grief of not knowing if his brother is alive, detained, or buried.