Results for: Mass Grave

Iraqi authorities have uncovered a mass grave in Tal Afar, Iraq, believed to contain victims of the Islamic State group (IS). So far, 139 remains, including women, men, and body parts, have been removed from the Alo Antar hole, a natural desert feature turned into a mass grave by IS jihadists. The victims, believed to be Yazidis, Shiite Turkmen, and security forces personnel, were reportedly shot, had their throats cut, and were found in body bags and orange jumpsuits. The discovery comes after Iraqi forces retook control of the area in 2017, and the recovery process began in May 2023. The United Nations estimates that over 200 mass graves containing potentially 12,000 bodies exist in Iraq, left behind by IS.

The United States has demanded answers from Israel after Hamas officials in Gaza claimed to have discovered a mass grave at a hospital that was targeted by a recent Israeli raid. The Hamas-run Civil Defense agency said that health workers uncovered nearly 340 bodies of people allegedly killed and buried by Israeli forces at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. However, evidence suggests that this claim is false, as the bodies had previously been buried at that same location by Palestinians amid the fighting between Israeli forces and terror operatives in the area.

Hamas officials in Gaza have claimed to discover a mass grave with over 200 bodies at Nasser Hospital, which was recently targeted in an Israeli military raid. However, evidence suggests Hamas’s claims are false, as the bodies had previously been buried at the same location by Palestinians during the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas operatives. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has also dismissed Hamas’s allegations as “baseless,” stating that they had examined bodies buried by Palestinians near the hospital and returned them to their original location.

The United States is investigating reports from Gaza claiming the discovery of a mass grave containing over 300 bodies at a hospital. Gaza’s Civil Defense alleges finding bodies with signs of torture and possible executions. The IDF denies these claims, stating that its forces respectfully examined corpses buried by Palestinians in the area of Nasser Hospital, returning those not belonging to Israeli hostages. Despite ongoing inquiries, the U.S. State Department has emphasized its support for Israel while acknowledging the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The head of Israel’s military intelligence, Major General Aharon Haliva, has resigned following the failure to prevent Hamas’s attack on October 7th. Haliva admitted that his division did not live up to its task and carries the responsibility for the attack. The resignation comes amid reports of bodies being recovered from a mass grave in Gaza by Al Jazeera.

Israeli families gathered at hostage memorial centers ahead of the Passover festival, marking Jewish freedom from slavery, while the fate of 130 hostages held in Gaza remains unknown. A mass grave of nearly 300 people was discovered in Khan Younis, casting a shadow over the joyous celebration.