What Happens When You Can’t Get a Death Certificate in Gaza

In Gaza, the systems for registering deaths and issuing death certificates have collapsed since October 2023 due to Israeli bombardment and mass displacement, leaving thousands of families in legal limbo. Research by ISEP estimates over 51,000 people may have gone missing, with 14,000–15,000 still unaccounted for, and nearly 43% of affected households report difficulty obtaining death certificates. Without proper documentation, families cannot access bank accounts, inheritances, legal guardianship, or humanitarian aid.