UN requests opening of international investigation into mass graves in Gaza hospitals
GAZA, April 23 (YPA) – The United Nations Human Rights Office called for an international investigation into the mass graves discovered in the “Al-Shifa” complex and the “Nasser” complex, describing the destruction of the two largest medical complexes in the Gaza Strip as “terrifying.”
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement on Tuesday that he was “appalled” by the destruction of the two hospitals and reports of mass graves there.
He stressed the need for “independent, effective and transparent investigations” into these deaths and the “prevailing climate of impunity.”
The Palestinian authorities announced that bodies were found in mass graves in Khan Yunis Hospital this week after Israeli forces withdrew from it. There were also reports that bodies were found in “Al-Shifa” Hospital after an Israeli special forces operation.
“We feel the need to sound the alarm because it is clear that many bodies have been found,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Shamdasani added, “Some of them are handcuffed, which of course indicates serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law, and further investigations must be conducted regarding these (violations).”
YPA