International demands for an independent investigation into mass graves uncovered at Gaza’s Nasser and Al-Shifa medical facilities has soared.
This comes as Gaza medics continue to unearth bodies in mass graves at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
Many of the bodies retrieved inside plastic bags from the mass grave at the courtyard of Nasser Hospital have been largely [decomposed] to the point they are not recognisable at all.
There have only been a few cases of parents being able to recognise the bodies of their children from the clothes they were wearing.
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the European Union joined calls for an independent investigation into the mass graves.
“This is something that forces us to call for an independent investigation of all the suspicions and all the circumstances, because indeed it creates the impression that there might have been violations of international human rights committed,” EU Spokesman, Peter Stano said.
The UN also demanded a transparent inquiry into the mass graves.
Any investigation, according to the UN, would need to involve international investigators “given the prevailing climate of impunity.”
UN human rights office Spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani said that some of the bodies at Nasser Hospital were allegedly “found with their hands tied and stripped of their clothes.”
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also told reporters that credible investigators must have access to the sites, adding that more journalists need to be able to work safely in Gaza to report the facts.
Earlier, UN human rights chief, Volker Türk stated that he is “horrified” by the destruction of the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis and reported mass graves in and around the facilities after the Israelis left.
Gaza’s civil defence agency disclosed that more than 300 bodies have been found buried in the courtyard of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis after Israeli forces withdrew from the facility last week.
The Israeli military defended that its forces exhumed bodies that Palestinians had buried earlier as part of its search for the remains of captives taken by Hamas on October 7. It said that the bodies were examined and the ones not of captives were reburied.
“The examination was conducted in a carful manner and exclusively in places where intelligence indicated the possible presence of hostages,” it added.
US State Department Spokesman, Vedant Patel described reports of mass graves at Gaza hospitals as “incredibly troubling” and said that US officials asked the Israeli government for information.
Asked by a reporter if he believes the Israeli government is “a credible source” for information on the mass graves, Patel responded, “We do. We do.”
Death Toll Reaches 34,262
The health ministry in Gaza claimed that the total number of Palestinians killed during Israel’s military assault on the territory has risen to 34,262.
The health ministry in Gaza said that 79 people were killed and 86 injured in the latest 24-hour reporting period.
Gaza’s Health Ministry also warned that severe infections are rapidly spreading in the enclave because of unsanitary conditions, including the overflow of sewage into the streets and a lack of drinking water.
The ministry specifically highlighted an alarming rise in cases of hepatitis and meningitis. It appealed for urgent support from “all relevant national, international and humanitarian institutions.”
Doctors and aid workers have warned of epidemics, given the dire humanitarian situation and with the besieged enclave’s health system on its knees.
Israel’s military also said that in the last 24 hours, it struck at 50 targets in the Gaza Strip.
Some Palestinian civilians were fleeing their homes in northern Gaza just weeks after returning because of an Israeli bombardment which they said was as intense as at the start of the war.
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