Palestinian Civil Defense discovers nearly 400 bodies in mass grave at Gaza hospital
Officials in Gaza have completed the examination of mass graves at a hospital in the southern region of the strip, revealing a count of 392 bodies, with several individuals found in surgical attire.
Authorities in Gaza have finished searching mass graves at a hospital in the southern part of the strip. They have found a total of 392 bodies, with some still in surgical gowns.
During a news conference on Thursday, an official from the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza announced that workers have identified 165 bodies at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis. This was after Israeli forces had left the area earlier this month.
At a news conference in Rafah, Mohammed Al Mighayyer mentioned that they are still working on identifying the remaining 227 bodies. He also shared that three mass graves were discovered - one in front of the morgue, another behind the morgue, and a third north of the dialysis building.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied allegations of burying Palestinian bodies in mass graves. They clarified that a grave found at the Nasser complex was actually dug by Palestinians in Gaza several months ago.
The Gaza Civil Defense confirmed that approximately 100 bodies were buried in graves at the Nasser hospital before the IDF operation took place there.
A CNN stringer who visited the site on Sunday spoke with individuals who shared that they had buried their deceased family members on the hospital grounds as a temporary solution back in January. When they returned after the Israeli military had left on April 7, they found that the bodies had been unearthed and placed in at least one mass grave, not all in their original locations, as reported by the stringer.
A bloodied aid box found at the scene with the writing 'Ummah Welfare Trust' provided a clue to the aid organisations behind the delivery on February 29.
A bloodied aid box found at the scene with the writing 'Ummah Welfare Trust' provided a clue to the aid organisations behind the delivery on February 29.
Ummah Welfare Trust
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Eyewitnesses and videos raise questions about Israel’s timeline for delivering aid to Gaza, challenging their version of events. At a news conference, the Palestinian Civil Defense displayed disturbing images on a TV screen. CNN has seen the photos, which depict severely damaged bodies and even decomposed children.
During a visit to the scene on Sunday and Monday, a CNN stringer observed multiple decomposed bodies dressed in surgical gowns. Photos reviewed by CNN displayed several bodies that were still wearing hospital wristbands. Additionally, CNN footage captured the sight of several children's bodies in a state of decomposition within the complex.
Al Mighayyer reported that the Civil Defense discovered children's bodies in mass graves at the Nasser Medical Complex, indicating possible genocide. The group is currently examining the bodies and suspects that around 20 civilians may have been buried alive. However, they have not provided evidence or explained how they reached this conclusion as the investigation continues.
Additionally, Al Mighayyer stated that there were instances of patients receiving treatment at the hospital being executed. Several bodies were found with gunshot wounds to the head and other injuries.
CNN cannot confirm the causes of death of the bodies being unearthed, and they are unable to verify these claims. It remains unknown who is responsible for their deaths.
CNN spoke with a father on camera as he recognized his 15-year-old son's decomposed body by the clothes he was wearing.
People carry away a body after identifying it among corpses unearthed from a mass grave found in the Nasser Medical Complex in the southern Gaza Strip.
People carry away a body after identifying it among corpses unearthed from a mass grave found in the Nasser Medical Complex in the southern Gaza Strip.
The man looked at his son's motionless body and pointed, saying, "That's my son, I can tell by his shirt." He knelt down, holding his son's head and examining it from behind to confirm his identity. "Oh God, he's gone. He's gone," he cried, wiping away his tears.
Al Mighayyer reported at a news conference that the Palestinian Gaza Civil Defense in Gaza found signs of torture on some bodies. However, CNN is unable to independently verify these claims.
Additionally, Al Mighayyer stated that Israeli forces buried multiple bodies in plastic bags at a depth of three meters, hastening their decomposition. He alleged that the occupation deliberately obscured evidence of its crimes in the Nasser Complex by changing the plastic coverings multiple times. CNN's video footage displayed bodies wrapped in three different colored shrouds: white, black, and blue.
Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) did not respond to specific questions about the allegations being made regarding the grave sites.
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The IDF responded to a query from CNN regarding the mass graves by providing a link to a post on X by their international spokesperson Nadav Shoshani. Shoshani addressed a video showing Palestinians uncovering a mass grave at the hospital complex. In the post, he clarified that misinformation was circulating about a mass grave found at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. The grave was actually dug by Gazans a few months ago, as confirmed by social media posts made by Gazans during the burial, as shown in the video.
He emphasized that blaming Israel for burying civilians in mass graves is completely untrue and just a tactic to discredit Israel.
The IDF has confirmed that they have taken several bodies from Gaza to Israel for DNA testing, and will later return the remains in containers.
The Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza called on the United Nations to form an international committee to investigate the mass graves at the Nasser complex.
Calls for an investigation
During a United Nations briefing in New York, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, was asked about the mass graves at Nasser Hospital. He mentioned that the organization has requested an international investigation, but the process is currently uncertain.
Dujarric emphasized that for investigators to access Gaza, permission from multiple countries, including Israel, would be necessary.
Amnesty International has urged for an inquiry into the mass graves at Nasser hospital and the Al-Shifa medical complex in Gaza. They emphasized the importance of granting access to independent human rights investigators promptly.
The organization highlighted that mass grave sites are crucial crime scenes providing essential forensic evidence. It stressed the necessity of safeguarding these sites until professional forensic experts can conduct thorough exhumations and accurately identify the remains.
Amnesty International has also called for an investigation into the mass graves at the two Gaza hospitals.
Amnesty International has also called for an investigation into the mass graves at the two Gaza hospitals.
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The IDF, when asked for a comment, directed CNN to a statement they had previously made regarding allegations that Israeli soldiers had buried numerous Palestinians in a mass grave at the hospital. The IDF stated that these claims are without merit and not based on facts.
The IDF stated that during their operation in the area of Nasser Hospital, they searched for hostages and missing persons. They carefully examined corpses buried by Palestinians in the area, focusing on locations where intelligence suggested hostages might be present.
In addition, in late February, IDF forces targeted Hamas in the Nasser Hospital area. Approximately 200 terrorists were captured during the operation. Medicine meant for Israeli hostages was discovered untouched, along with a significant amount of ammunition. The operation was carried out with precision to avoid harm to the hospital, patients, and medical staff.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Editor's P/S:
The discovery of mass graves in the Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza, containing hundreds of bodies, is a chilling reminder of the horrific toll of the recent conflict. The images of decomposed bodies, some still in surgical gowns, are a stark testament to the suffering endured by Palestinian civilians. The allegations of possible genocide and execution of patients are deeply disturbing, and demand a thorough and impartial investigation.
The conflicting accounts from Palestinian and Israeli authorities further underscore the need for an independent inquiry. The IDF's denial of responsibility and claims that the graves were dug by Palestinians prior to the conflict raise questions about the true nature of the events. The call by Amnesty International for access to human rights investigators is essential to establish the facts and ensure accountability for any crimes committed. The international community must exert pressure to ensure a transparent and comprehensive investigation into these mass graves, and to hold those responsible to account.
