Israeli rabbis work around the clock — even on the Sabbath — to count the dead from Hamas attack

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Israeli rabbis are laboring tirelessly, even on the Sabbath, to account for the casualties resulting from the recent Hamas attack. This situation is an exceptional occurrence as rabbis don’t typically spend the Sabbath engaged in the solemn task of counting the deceased. However, a week after Hamas militants breached Israel’s heavily fortified security fence and unleashed a deadly assault that claimed the lives of hundreds of Israelis at various locations, including music festivals, homes, and cars, the Israeli military rabbinate deemed it necessary to make an exception.

At the Shura military base in central Israel, the influx of bodies has outpaced the rabbis’ ability to identify them. Refrigerated trucks now house the bodies of hundreds of soldiers, women, and children, all waiting for examination. Identification teams take short breaks between their shifts, perched on plastic stools near the trucks, wearing heavy gas masks due to the overpowering stench of death.

According to Jewish law, the Sabbath is not to be disrupted for the deceased, except in cases of uncertainty or when a death poses a risk to a family’s well-being. In such situations, it becomes a religious duty to work on the Sabbath to identify the deceased and provide answers to the grieving family.

Presently, the most the country can offer to the families of the approximately 1,300 people killed by Hamas militants is the assurance that their loved ones are indeed deceased. This painstaking process is ongoing and could span several months. Some bodies are so disfigured that traditional identification methods are insufficient, necessitating DNA testing. Unfortunately, the military lacks a comprehensive DNA database for civilians, which has impeded the identification process. As of now, only half of the civilian casualties have been identified.

In their quest for closure, families across Israel have been flocking to hospitals to provide DNA samples, hoping for a match with the bodies housed at various bases across the country that are receiving the deceased.

One such family is that of Maayan Mualem, who was last known to have been shot by Hamas fighters at a music festival. Her family’s search for her body at Soroka Medical Center yielded no results, leading them to provide DNA samples at a police station outside Tel Aviv in the hope of finding answers.

Rabbi Israel Weiss, involved in leading the operation, emphasized the Israeli commitment to identifying every fallen soldier and civilian to eliminate any doubts for grieving families.

The Israeli rabbinate’s work on the Sabbath is an exceptional occurrence. They last worked on the Sabbath in 2005 when graves were disinterred from an Israeli settlement cemetery in Gaza during the country’s unilateral withdrawal. Since then, the situation in Gaza has evolved, with Hamas remaining in power, necessitating their work on the Sabbath once again.

Reservist teams, including individuals from various backgrounds such as dentists, students, and tech professionals, now work around the clock to identify the bodies. They wear white hazmat suits as they navigate this emotionally taxing duty.

While identifying soldiers has progressed more swiftly, the process remains arduous due to the continuous influx of bodies. Soldiers typically provide DNA samples at the start of their service, facilitating their identification. However, the magnitude of casualties has strained resources.

Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery in Jerusalem, has received some of the bodies. Illuminated by harsh floodlights on a misty night, the freshly dug graves serve as a solemn reminder of the ongoing tragedy. Young soldiers stand guard over the graves of their fallen comrades, a poignant testament to the sacrifices made during this tragic period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Grief and Identification

More about Grief and Identification

• Hamas Attack in Israel
• Jewish Law and Sabbath
• DNA Testing in Identification
• Israeli Rabbis and Unusual Sabbath Work
• Reservist Teams and Identification Process
• Mount Herzl and National Cemetery