The United Nations has called for a clear, transparent, and credible investigation into the discovery of mass graves at two major hospitals in Gaza that were raided by Israeli troops. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric emphasized the need for credible investigators to have access to the sites, as well as for more journalists to be able to work safely in Gaza to report on the facts. The U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk also expressed horror over the destruction of the hospitals and the reported discovery of mass graves, calling for independent and transparent investigations and stating that the intentional killing of civilians is a war crime.
The U.S. State Department also expressed concern over the reports of mass graves at the hospitals in Gaza, calling them “incredibly troubling” and stating that U.S. officials have asked the Israeli government for information. The Israeli military claims that bodies exhumed from the hospitals were previously buried by Palestinians as part of a search for hostages captured by Hamas. The military also stated that bodies were examined respectfully and those not belonging to Israeli hostages were returned to their original burial place. However, the claims made by the Israeli military regarding the activities inside the hospitals could not be independently verified.
The Palestinian civil defense in Gaza has uncovered bodies from temporary burial grounds inside the main hospital in Khan Younis, which were built when Israeli forces were besieging the facility. Some of the bodies were of people killed during the hospital siege, while others were killed when Israeli forces raided the hospital. This has further devastated Gaza’s health sector as it tries to cope with the mounting toll from the war that has been ongoing for over six months. The issue of who should conduct an investigation into the mass graves remains uncertain, with the United Nations suggesting that any investigation must have access and credibility.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, has stated that investigating possible crimes by Hamas militants and Israeli forces is a priority for the court. The discovery of mass graves emphasizes the urgent need for a ceasefire, an end to the conflict, and greater access for humanitarian aid and protection for hospitals. In response to a Hamas attack that launched the war, Israel’s air and ground offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians, with a majority being children and women. This has created a humanitarian crisis and forced around 80% of the population to flee to other parts of the besieged coastal enclave.
The situation in Gaza underscores the need for accountability, transparency, and justice for the victims of the conflict. The international community, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, must ensure that credible investigations are conducted to determine the facts surrounding the mass graves and hold those responsible for war crimes accountable. Additionally, efforts must be made to facilitate a ceasefire, provide essential humanitarian aid, protect hospitals, and secure the release of hostages in order to bring an end to the devastating conflict and prevent further loss of life in Gaza.
