The Israeli occupation is currently withholding the bodies of 676 Palestinians in what are referred to as “cemeteries of numbers” and refrigeration facilities, according to a statement released on Thursday by the National Campaign for Retrieval of the Bodies of Palestinian War Victims. This figure includes the bodies of 71 detainees, 60 children, and nine women.

The Campaign highlighted that the total count rose following the withholding of three additional bodies of Palestinians who were killed during a raid in Jenin on Tuesday at dawn. These cemeteries, often located in restricted military zones, are marked by numbered graves rather than names, a practice that has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.

The withholding of bodies has been a long-standing policy by Israeli authorities, often used as a form of psychological pressure on Palestinian families and as a political bargaining tool. Families of the deceased are denied the opportunity to bury their loved ones, which many view as a violation of basic human rights and cultural practices.

Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for the immediate release of these bodies, emphasizing the emotional and psychological toll on the families. The practice has also been criticized for contravening international humanitarian law, which mandates the dignified treatment of the deceased and their families.

The National Campaign has urged international organizations and human rights bodies to intervene and pressure Israel to release the bodies. They argue that withholding the remains not only exacerbates the suffering of families but also perpetuates a cycle of dehumanization and injustice.

This issue remains a deeply contentious point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, symbolizing broader struggles over dignity, rights, and recognition. The international community continues to monitor the situation, with growing calls for accountability and adherence to humanitarian principles.

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