The United Nations has called for a clear, transparent, and credible investigation into mass graves discovered at two major hospitals in Gaza that were raided by Israeli troops. The U.N. emphasized the need for credible investigators to have access to the sites and for more journalists to be able to work safely in Gaza to report on the facts. The destruction of the hospitals and the reported discovery of mass graves is deeply concerning and calls for independent and transparent investigations. U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk expressed horror over these developments and emphasized the importance of hospitals being protected under international humanitarian law.
The U.S. State Department also expressed concern over the reports of mass graves in Gaza and said that U.S. officials have asked the Israeli government for information on the matter. The Israeli military claimed that the bodies found in the graves were exhumed as part of their search for hostages captured by Hamas during a previous attack. The military stated that the bodies were examined respectfully and those not belonging to Israeli hostages were returned to their place. However, the claims made by the Israeli military have not been independently verified.
The Palestinian civil defense in Gaza uncovered 283 bodies from a temporary burial ground inside the main hospital in Khan Younis, where people had resorted to burying the dead when they were unable to use a cemetery during the hospital’s siege. Palestinian health officials have raised concerns about the impact of the hospital raids on Gaza’s health sector, particularly as the region grapples with the toll of ongoing conflict. The issue of who should conduct an investigation into the mass graves remains under question, with the United Nations considering the possibility of conducting an investigation if authorized by one of its major bodies.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has highlighted the need for a probe into possible crimes committed by both Hamas militants and Israeli forces, emphasizing the urgency of a ceasefire and greater humanitarian access and protection. The war that was triggered by a Hamas attack has resulted in significant casualties and damage in Gaza, with thousands of Palestinians, including many children and women, losing their lives. The conflict has also led to a humanitarian crisis and the displacement of a large portion of Gaza’s population. The situation in Gaza underscores the need for a coordinated international response to address the ongoing violence and its devastating impact on the civilian population.
