Metropolis Desk-
A representative for UN rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that he was “horrified” by the claims of mass graves in Gaza that held hundreds of bodies, as well as by the devastation of the Nasser and Al Shifa medical facilities.
Following Israeli troops’ abandonment of the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis this week, hundreds of victims were discovered in mass graves, according to Palestinian authorities. Following an operation by Israeli special forces, reports of bodies were also made at the Al Shifa location.
The Israeli military described as “baseless and unfounded” the Palestinian authorities’ allegations that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had interred bodies. It stated that after examining graves previously buried by Palestinians close to Nasser Hospital, the forces looking for Israeli hostages had returned the bodies to their original locations.
“The inspection was carried out with caution and only in areas where intelligence suggested hostages might be present. In keeping with the deceased’s dignity, the examination was conducted with respect ” in a statement.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ spokesman, Ravina Shamdasani, stated that the discovery of many bodies was the reason the rights organization was sounding the alarm. She added that Turk was appalled by the news of mass grave discoveries and the devastation of the hospitals.
“Some of them had their hands tied, which of course indicates serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and these need to be subjected to further investigations,” Shamdasani stated.
She continued by saying that the U.N. human rights office was attempting to verify claims from Palestinian officials, including the one stating that thirty dead had been discovered at Al Shifa. Those accounts claimed that ladies and elderly people were among the remains buried behind mounds of trash.
On Monday, Reuters reporters witnessed rescue personnel excavating deceased bodies from the wreckage of Nasser Hospital.
The Civil Emergency Service in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, announced on Tuesday that two mass graves at Nasser had been identified but had not yet been dug up, and that 310 dead had been discovered at that location thus far. The amount was reiterated by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
At a U.N. news briefing, Turk, accompanied by Shamdasani, denounced the recent Israeli strikes on Gaza, claiming that the majority of the casualties were women and children.
In addition, he reiterated his caution against conducting a full-scale invasion of Rafah, which is home to some 1.2 million residents, claiming that doing so could result in “further atrocity crimes”.
Since Israel launched its war against Hamas on October 7, the group has carried out cross-border attacks on Israel that have left 1,200 people dead, according to Israeli estimates. This has also resulted in a rise in violence in the occupied West Bank.
In one of the worst deaths in the West Bank in months, 14 Palestinians were slain on Saturday in the Nur Shams neighborhood, according to Palestinian health authorities. A few of the deceased in Nur Shams were reportedly executed in what appeared to be extrajudicial killings, according to reports that the UN human rights office had received, according to Shamdasani.
While claiming that Israel executes people, the Hamas media office has not provided any supporting documentation. Executions are not carried out in Israel.
Prior to the West Bank attack, the Israeli military said that at least four soldiers were hurt and several militants were either killed or captured.
Source- Reuters
