The United Nations has called for an investigation into the discovery of mass graves at two major hospitals in the war-torn Gaza Strip. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that a ‘clear, transparent and credible investigation’ is needed, with access for investigators and more protection for journalists in Gaza.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned the destruction of Shifa medical center in Gaza City and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, as well as the reported discovery of mass graves in and around the facilities after Israeli troops left. He called for independent and transparent investigations into the deaths.
US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel called the reports of mass graves at the hospitals ‘incredibly troubling’ and said US officials have asked the Israeli government for information.
The Israeli military said it exhumed bodies that Palestinians had buried earlier as part of its search for the remains of hostages captured by Hamas terrorists during an attack that triggered the war. The military said bodies were examined respectfully and those not belonging to Israeli hostages were returned to their place.
The Israeli military says it killed or detained hundreds of terrorists who had taken shelter inside the two hospital complexes.
The issue of who could or should conduct an investigation remains in question. Dujarric said that for the United Nations to conduct an investigation, one of its major bodies would have to authorize it. He emphasized that prejudging the results or who should conduct the investigation is not appropriate.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, said after visiting Israel and the West Bank in December that a probe by the court into possible crimes by Hamas militants and Israeli forces ‘is a priority for my office.’
Dujarric said that the discovery of the graves underscores the need for a ceasefire, an end to the conflict, greater access for humanitarian aid, protection for hospitals, and the release of Israeli hostages.
