In the southern tip of Gaza, near a newly dug mass grave, grieving Palestinians anxiously searched through dozens of body bags on Tuesday, hoping to find their missing loved ones. The bodies, in various states of decomposition, had been hastily delivered by an Israeli container truck to the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom border crossing.

An NBC News team captured the heartbreaking scene as people unfolded the blue sheets of tarp to reveal the bodies and body parts inside. Medics carefully inspected the remains and took pictures, while gravediggers and workers prepared fresh graves in the bare earth to accommodate the corpses.

It is unclear how many bodies were in the bags, as Palestinian officials have not provided an official count. However, eyewitnesses estimate the number to be around 80. Among the victims are believed to be men, women, children, and the elderly.

Families desperately searched for their missing relatives, with heartbreaking scenes of anguish and despair unfolding. Issa Abu Sarhan, in search of his 28-year-old son Mahmoud, who he believes was killed in a bombing two months ago, frantically opened and searched through the body bags scattered across the sand. The dismembered bodies made identification difficult, as limbs showed signs of blast wounds.

The sense of frustration and helplessness was palpable as families pleaded for any identification details or information regarding the bodies. However, medical staff could only provide them with numbered identifications, offering no additional information.

Abu Bilal, an eyewitness assisting with the incoming corpses, expressed his grief over the situation. He revealed that this was the second mass grave in Rafah, and expressed concern that some bodies may not be identifiable due to their condition.

The transfer of these bodies has raised questions about the ongoing "hostage rescue operations" conducted by Israeli officials in Gaza. While Israeli officials have not provided any specific details on whether the bodies belong to abducted hostages, they have reiterated their commitment to finding all the hostages and returning any bodies still held in Gaza.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Israeli troops had damaged a cemetery in southern Gaza during their search for kidnapped hostages. Eyewitnesses and videos documented the disturbance, with open graves and bodies reportedly being taken away.

The Israel Defense Forces, when asked for further information regarding the returned bodies, declined to comment but referred to their previous statement. The statement emphasized that hostage rescue operations are conducted with precision in specific locations where hostages may be located. It also assured that bodies determined not to be those of hostages are returned with dignity and respect.

As the search for answers continues, grieving families in Gaza wait, hoping to finally lay their loved ones to rest and find closure amidst the ongoing violence, death, and destruction in the enclave.