At least 300 bodies found in Khan Younis following Israeli withdrawal

The Civil Defence in Gaza has announced the recovery of 42 bodies in Bani Suhaila following the retreat of Israeli occupation forces from areas east of Khan Younis.

Efforts are ongoing to recover additional bodies, as the roads have been closed and 90 percent of the infrastructure has been destroyed.

The death toll could be much higher, with 200 reports of missing Palestinians in eastern Khan Younis.

The Civil Defence has accused Israeli forces of preventing the retrieval of the wounded, resulting in their deaths and the decomposition of their bodies.

The spokesperson for the Civil Defence in Gaza told Al Jazeera that the number of martyrs in Khan Younis has surpassed initial expectations, with at least 300 confirmed people killed by Israeli forces.

Palestinians are just now returning to Khan Younis after being forcibly displaced last week by an Israeli assault.

The invasion displaced at least 180,000 Palestinians in the first four days, with many forced to leave their belongings behind, according to the United Nations.