Palestine demand urgent investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza

A Palestinian civil defense team has urgently called upon the United Nations to investigate alleged war crimes at a Gaza hospital, claiming that nearly 400 bodies were recovered from mass graves following the departure of Israeli soldiers from the complex.

At a press conference on Thursday, the civil defense forces made startling allegations, asserting that patients, some undergoing surgeries and clad in surgical gowns, were reportedly subjected to field executions at the Nasser Medical Complex. However, no evidence was presented to support these claims.

Reports from Palestinian authorities this week have revealed the discovery of hundreds of bodies in mass graves at Nasser hospital, the primary medical facility in central Gaza, subsequent to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the city of Khan Younis. Additionally, bodies were reportedly found at Al Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, which was targeted during an Israeli special forces operation.

Expressing profound concern, U.N. rights chief Volker Turk stated on Tuesday that he was “horrified” by the destruction of both the Nasser and Al Shifa medical facilities, as well as by the reports of mass graves, according to a spokesperson.

Joining the chorus of international concern, France on Thursday labeled the reports as “extremely worrying,” adding its voice to mounting calls for an independent investigation.

The Israeli military swiftly dismissed the claims by Palestinian authorities, refuting allegations that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had buried the bodies.

Characterizing the claims as “baseless and unfounded,” the IDF asserted that forces conducting searches for Israeli hostages had examined bodies previously interred by Palestinians near Nasser hospital, returning them after examination.

In a statement, the IDF clarified,

“The examination was conducted in a careful manner and exclusively in places where intelligence indicated the possible presence of hostages. The examination was carried out respectfully while maintaining the dignity of the deceased.”

Israel vehemently denied responsibility for the deaths of those found in the graves, releasing footage purportedly showing Palestinians digging the graves prior to the IDF operation.