The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel has rejected claims made by the terrorist group Hamas regarding a mass grave found at a hospital compound in Gaza. The Israeli government spokesman emphasized that Hamas has a history of fabricating information and spreading lies, urging media outlets to be cautious in reporting such claims. Hamas alleged that nearly 340 bodies were found buried by Israeli forces at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, but Israel denies any involvement in the mass grave.
The U.S. State Department expressed concern over the allegations made by Hamas and stated that they are pressing the Government of Israel for more information. Israeli army spokesman Major Nadav Shoshani refuted the claims, stating that the grave in question was dug by Gazans a few months ago. He emphasized that any attempt to blame Israel for burying civilians in mass graves is false and part of a disinformation campaign to delegitimize Israel.
Experts have argued that Hamas fabricates death toll counts in order to gain support from Western countries and end Israel’s efforts to combat terrorism. Hospitals in the Gaza Strip have often been turned into military installations by Hamas, sacrificing their protected status under international law. Hamas is also accused of holding hostages, including Americans, in Rafah, the main stronghold of the terrorist group.
The mainstream media, including CNN, has faced criticism for amplifying the claims made by Hamas about the mass grave without proper verification. The Times of Israel reported that evidence suggests the bodies found in the mass grave were buried by Palestinians during fighting between Israeli forces and terror operatives in the area. The UN’s human rights chief expressed horror at reports of mass graves at Gaza hospitals, while Israel’s mission in Geneva criticized the UN for failing to demand the release of hostages in Gaza.
The Biden administration has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the mass grave in Gaza. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stressed the importance of uncovering the truth behind the allegations. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of increasing antisemitism in America, particularly on university campuses, fueled by misinformation spread by some media outlets. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to raise questions about the role of media and international organizations in reporting on the situation in the region.
