Moshe Ajami: The Archaeologist Unearthing the Tragic Victims of the Hamas Invasion

Accident – death – Obituary News : Two weeks after the Hamas invasion of Israel, Moshe Ajami, deputy director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, received a call from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) asking for his help. Ajami, known for his expertise in biblical archaeology, was now needed to identify charred and disintegrated remains in the burnt-out houses on the kibbutzim that had been overrun by Hamas.

Ajami quickly assembled a team of archaeologists and joined forces with engineers, sappers, rescue-and-recovery units from the army, police investigators, municipal authorities, military and civilian rabbinates, and volunteers from Zaka, an organization that assists emergency services after terrorist attacks. Together, they began the difficult task of locating and identifying bodies in the aftermath of the massacre.

Working in the garden of a destroyed house on Be’eri, a kibbutz where over 100 people were killed, Ajami’s team meticulously sifted through the ashes, separating bones from the debris. He explained that the ash was easy to work with because the bones were visible, similar to excavations. However, it was much harder when they had to search in the unburnt houses. Ajami shared the horrific sights he had witnessed, including finding two scalps from women and pools of blood in children’s bedrooms.

Ajami’s unique perspective as a color-blind individual allowed him to spot outlines of bones that others had overlooked in the burnt material. He explained that he could discern gradations of color in the ash, and his training as an archaeologist helped him identify different textures of burnt bone. To protect themselves from asbestos in older roofs, Ajami and his team sometimes had to wear masks. He hoped that this would be the first and last time archaeologists would be deployed to excavate human remains after a massacre.

During an interview in a café, Ajami appeared exhausted from working long hours and described the shocking scenes he had encountered. He shared the story of a man named Eyal, who reached out to him in search of his father-in-law’s body. Meni Godard and his wife Ayelet were both in their 70s and had been living in Be’eri. Ayelet had messaged their family group saying that Meni had been shot and died in her arms, but she managed to escape. While Ayelet’s body was later identified, Meni’s body remained missing. Ajami agreed to help Eyal, and together they searched the burnt family home.

The search for bodies continues, with more remains being discovered under houses, in attics, in bushes, and in the sandy no-man’s-land between the kibbutzim and the Gaza border. The exact number of casualties remains unknown, with an official estimate of around 1,400. Over a hundred people are still registered as missing, and hundreds of body parts await identification.

Visiting Be’eri with the IDF, the devastation becomes evident. Houses are destroyed, with bullet holes in the walls and blood-soaked mattresses. Finger marks in soot and remnants of ordinary life interrupted serve as a reminder of the tragedy. The tour is led by a resident who miraculously survived the attacks, sharing stories of bravery and loss.

Throughout the recovery process, military and civilian authorities have worked together at the Shura IDF base outside Tel Aviv, which is also home to the military rabbinate. Forensic scientists from both sectors collaborate, aided by volunteers from organizations like Zaka. The bodies are carefully handled, and efforts are made to reunite them with their families.

Despite the emotional toll and the ongoing conflict, Ajami and his team remain committed to their work. Their goal is to bring closure to the families affected by the tragedy and ensure that the victims receive a proper religious burial..