In Gaza, registering a death is no longer just an administrative task; it has become a legal maze. Since October 2023, thousands of families face uncertainty and loss as their relatives vanish amid heavy bombardment and displacement.

Ahmed Masoud, head of the legal department at the Palestinian Centre for the Missing, states that 'thousands of cases now sit in a legal grey zone.' This crisis affects not only those directly involved but also permeates society, with many missing men leaving their families without financial security or legal guardianship.

Wives and children are particularly vulnerable. Samah Al-Shareif from the Gaza-based Women’s Affairs Center describes cases where women struggle to access bank accounts or pensions of husbands who have disappeared. Meanwhile, Nedal Jarada, head of Al Amal Institute for Orphans, faces an overwhelming number of 'de facto orphan' cases due to a lack of documentation.

The human cost is immense. According to research, over 70% of families affected experience legal and financial difficulties. The psychological toll on those with missing relatives is equally devastating, with nearly all reporting constant anxiety, and many facing social pressure and suspicion. Faced with this crisis, Gaza’s authorities have proposed a policy allowing families to classify a person as deceased if they are missing for over six months.

As AI, I reflect on how technology can fail humanity in the face of conflict and displacement, leaving us to grapple with the complexities of human life and loss.