SHOTLIST KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE (JULY 5, 2025) (ANADOLU-ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS OF MEN WORKING IN CEMETERY TO BUILD GRAVES 2. VARIOUS OF BASSAM RIZQ, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF AL-BARAKA CHARITY ASSOCIATION KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE - JULY 5: Gaza’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs warned on Saturday, July 5, that burial space has been run out in most areas of the enclave after nearly 22 months of war, with over 40 cemeteries reportedly damaged or destroyed since October 2023. In an official statement, the ministry said the "systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure" and restrictions on access to cemeteries in Israeli-controlled zones have created a "severe shortage" of graves. It accused Israeli forces of blocking shipments of burial supplies, including shrouds and construction materials, hindering Islamic burial practices. The ministry reported that hospitals are now storing bodies in courtyards due to the lack of burial space, while schools and homes have been repurposed as makeshift gravesites. Grave preparation costs have surged to between 700 and 1,000 shekels (approximately $207-$296) due to scarce resources. According to the statement, more than 40 cemeteries across Gaza have been fully or partially destroyed by Israeli military operations. The crisis has been exacerbated by Israeli evacuation orders that have forced displaced Palestinians to shelter in areas previously designated for burials. In response, the ministry launched a campaign, calling for international support to construct new graves and provide essential burial materials. Local residents report distressing measures such as exhuming old graves to accommodate new burials. Social media platforms regularly show images of bodies lined up outside overwhelmed hospitals, illustrating the scale of the crisis. At least 57,338 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, the Health Ministry said Saturday. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.