GENEVA: A spokesperson for the UN’s human rights coordinator, Volker Turk, stated on Tuesday that he was “horrified” by the devastation of the Nasser and Al Shifa medical facilities in Gaza as well as by claims of mass graves there holding hundreds of victims.
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 Defence 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.
Multiple bodies had been found, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman Ravina Shamdasani, who stated that 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.
At a UN news briefing, Turk—represented by Shamdasani—also 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.
According to Shamdasani, there have been complaints to the UN human rights office that suggest some of the victims in Nur Shams were executed in what appear to be extrajudicial executions. Although it hasn’t provided any visual or other proof, the Hamas media office has accused Israel of carrying out murders. Israel disputes that it executes people.
The Israeli military has previously stated that at least four soldiers were hurt and that several fighters were either killed or captured during the West Bank raid.
