2024-04-24 18:55:00
The UN calls for an investigation into the mass graves in two Gaza hospitals raided by Israel
The UN has called for an “independent, effective and transparent investigation” into the discovery of mass graves at two Gaza hospital complexes following they were besieged and attacked by Israeli troops earlier this year.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said he was “horrified” by the reported scenes at the Nasser and Al-Shifa compounds.
“Given the prevailing climate of impunity, this should be included by international investigators,” Turk said Tuesday.
“Hospitals are entitled to very special protection under international humanitarian law. And the intentional killing of civilians, detainees and other people hors de combat is a war crime,” he added.
A mass grave containing 324 bodies was discovered this week at the Nasser Medical Complex in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis by Gaza Civil Defense workers following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area.
In early April, health workers exhumed bodies from mass graves in Al-Shifa following saying Israeli forces killed hundreds of Palestinians and left their bodies to decompose during their two-week siege of the compound in northern Gaza.
At least 381 bodies were recovered from Al-Shifa following Israeli forces withdrew on April 1, according to the Gaza Civil Defense.
The US State Department on Tuesday expressed concern over the “disturbing” discovery of mass graves.
The “reports are incredibly concerning. And we are investigating this with the Government of Israel,” said US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel.
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