Nearly 200 Mass Graves Found at Hospital Sites in Gaza

Palestinian authorities have made a grim discovery in Khan Younis, Gaza, where approximately 200 mass graves have been uncovered at hospital sites, revealing a devastating toll on civilian lives during the recent conflict.

At the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, officials reported exhuming scores of bodies from two mass graves. Ismail Al Thawabteh, director-general of Gaza’s government media office, disclosed that around 150 bodies had been recovered from these graves. Shockingly, approximately 700 individuals remain unaccounted for since the Israeli withdrawal from Khan Younis on April 7, following a four-month ground offensive.

Al Thawabteh expressed grave concerns, stating, “We believe that there are hundreds of martyrs still missing after they were executed and buried by the Israeli occupation forces in mass graves.” The bodies found were described as heavily decomposed, underscoring the brutality of the alleged crimes.

The state news agency Wafa reported that at least 190 bodies were discovered in a mass grave at Nasser Hospital, predominantly comprising women and children. Hamas, reacting to the news, condemned the discoveries as evidence of Israeli atrocities in Gaza, questioning the fate of thousands still missing.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson strongly condemned the Israeli regime's actions, calling for international prosecution of Zionist officials involved in what he described as “appalling atrocities” at Nasser Hospital.

The Israeli military has not responded to these reports.

The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in a staggering toll on the Gaza Strip. Official figures indicate nearly 34,100 fatalities and 77,000 injuries, with extensive destruction and acute shortages plaguing the area. The UN reports that 85% of Gaza’s population is internally displaced, facing critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure lies in ruins.

This comes amid reports of U.S. considering sanctions against Israeli military and police units implicated in human rights violations against Palestinians. The scrutiny falls under the Leahy Law, which prohibits military assistance to units responsible for gross violations of human rights. This potential action marks a significant development in U.S.-Israel relations and underscores growing international scrutiny of alleged abuses.