Gambiaj.com – (NEW YORK) – United Nations leaders have called for a thorough investigation after the discovery of mass graves containing hundreds of bodies at two major hospitals in Gaza. The graves, found at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, have raised concerns over potential war crimes.
The United Nations demanded a “clear, transparent and credible” investigation into the matter. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric emphasized the need for investigators to have complete access to the sites and ensured safety from the Israeli military.
The bodies, some of which were found stripped naked with their hands tied, were described as “buried deep in the ground and covered with waste.” The Nasser site alone contained 283 bodies, with another 30 discovered at the Al-Shifa Hospital site.
U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk stated that hospitals are entitled to special protection under international humanitarian law, and the intentional killing of civilians, detainees, and others who are ‘hors de combat’ is a war crime. Türk emphasized the need for an independent investigation given the prevailing climate of impunity.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern that there could be “many more” victims, despite the Israeli Defense Forces’ claim to have killed 200 Palestinians during the operation at the Al-Shifa medical complex.
The Israeli government stated that its forces had previously exhumed bodies at the sites in search of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The military had besieged the hospitals earlier this year, claiming that Hamas militants were inside among civilians, although these claims could not be independently verified.
It remains unclear which body would conduct an investigation if authorized. The Israeli military has increased strikes on southern Gaza in recent days, aiming to push into the city of Rafah. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of 34,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of whom are women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Biden administration has described the reports of mass graves as “incredibly troubling” and has questioned the Israeli government. The administration continues to pressure Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
