The United Nations has urged for a thorough investigation into the discovery of mass graves at two major hospitals in Gaza following raids by Israeli troops. The U.N. emphasized the need for a clear, transparent, and credible inquiry, with access granted to credible investigators and journalists to report on the situation.
The destruction of the Shifa medical center in Gaza City and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, along with the reported presence of mass graves in and around the facilities, has raised concerns. The U.N. human rights chief expressed horror at the events and called for independent investigations, possibly involving international investigators, due to the gravity of the situation.
The U.S. State Department also expressed deep concern over the reports of mass graves and has sought information from the Israeli government. The Israeli military stated that bodies were exhumed as part of a search for hostages captured by Hamas, with claims of killing or detaining hundreds of militants sheltering in the hospitals.
The Palestinian civil defense revealed the discovery of 283 bodies from a temporary burial ground in Khan Younis Hospital, attributing some deaths to the hospital siege and Israeli raids. The raids have severely impacted Gaza's health sector, already strained by months of conflict.
The issue of who should conduct the investigation remains unresolved, with the United Nations and the International Criminal Court being potential entities to oversee the process. The need for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, protection for hospitals, and the release of hostages has been emphasized in light of the grave situation.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in significant casualties, with militants killing civilians and abducting hostages, while Israel's offensive has led to a high number of Palestinian deaths, including many children and women. The ongoing crisis has caused widespread devastation in Gaza, prompting a large portion of the population to seek refuge in other parts of the enclave.
