UN says it is “horrified” after discovery of mass graves in Gaza

The high commissioner for human rights of the UN (United Nations), Volker Turk, said this Tuesday (April 23, 2024) that he was “horrified” with the destruction of the Nasser and al-Shifa medical facilities in the Gaza Strip, in addition to reports of hundreds of bodies in mass graves found there.

“The intentional killing of civilians, detainees and others who are out of combat is a war crime”, said Türk. The statement comes 1 day after Palestinian authorities announced that they had found almost 300 bodies in a mass grave at the Nasser hospital, on Monday (22 April), in Khan Younis, after the site was abandoned by Israeli troops.

According to the UN, a total of 283 bodies were recovered from the hospital, of which 42 were identified. “Among the dead were reportedly elderly, women and injured, while others were found tied up and undressed.”said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In response, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) denied any allegation that they had buried Palestinian bodies, explaining that during operations at Nasser Hospital, they examined corpses buried in places where hostages or missing persons were suspected.

“The examination was carried out carefully and exclusively in places where intelligence indicated the possible presence of hostages”, these.

Shamdasani also reported that more bodies were found in al-Shifa after an operation by Israeli special forces, according to local health officials in Gaza.

The al-Shifa hospital, which was the region’s main healthcare facility, was the target of an Israeli military incursion against suspected members of Hamas. In early April, UN inspectors found that the hospital was practically destroyed, with its medical equipment and infrastructure “reduced to ashes”.

“Reports suggest that there were 30 Palestinian bodies buried in two graves in the courtyard of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City; one in front of the emergency building and another in front of the dialysis building”, Shamdasani told journalists this Tuesday (April 23).

Twelve Palestinian bodies that were in these locations have already been identified, the spokeswoman continued. “There are reports that the hands of some of these bodies were also tied”added Shamdasani, suggesting the possibility of a greater number of victims.