The discovery of a mass grave at Nasser Hospital in Gaza came shortly after a similar find at Al-Shifa Hospital. Reports suggested that some bodies had been found with their hands tied and stripped of their clothes, although these claims could not be independently verified. Videos posted on social media showed bodies in blue medical scrubs with bound hands, lying next to each other in the mass grave in a palm grove. It was reported that some people who tried to flee the hospital during an Israeli raid were shot by soldiers, although this could not be independently confirmed.
Doctors at the hospital and the Gazan Health Ministry alleged that Israeli soldiers shot at individuals trying to leave the Nasser compound during the raid. Multiple videos showed gunshot victims on the ground outside the hospital, with some people using a rope to bring water bottles inside to avoid the area where people had been shot. Despite the Israeli military claiming to have opened a secure route for evacuation, they did not respond to reports of shooting at Palestinians trying to escape. Human rights groups called for immediate access to Gaza for investigators and forensic experts to secure evidence of the mass graves and ensure accountability for any violations of international law.
Israel’s military left Nasser hospital in late February but continued operations in Khan Younis before withdrawing from southern Gaza. This allowed Palestinian emergency services and families to search for missing loved ones. Jihad al-Bayouk, who buried his older brother at Nasser Hospital after he was killed in an Israeli drone strike, returned to find his brother’s body missing. He joined others in digging every day to search for their relatives. Eventually, he found his brother’s body in a different location with parts of the wrapping missing, leading to questions about the handling of the deceased.
The discovery of mass graves at Nasser Hospital raised concerns about possible violations of international law during the conflict in Gaza. Amnesty International urged for investigations to determine the circumstances of the deaths and any potential human rights violations. With reports of bodies found with bound hands and stripped of their clothes, there were calls for accountability and transparency in understanding the events that led to the mass grave discoveries. The allegations of shootings by Israeli soldiers added to the urgency of investigating the situation to uncover the truth.
The videos and reports of bodies found at Nasser Hospital shed light on the chaos and violence that unfolded during the conflict in Gaza. Families searching for their loved ones faced challenges as bodies were found in unexpected locations, raising questions about the handling of the deceased. The missing plastic wrapping on some bodies suggested a lack of proper respect for the deceased, further highlighting the need for thorough investigations to understand the events leading to the mass grave discoveries. The situation underscored the importance of accountability and justice in the aftermath of the conflict.
