The European Union has called for an independent investigation into reports of mass graves found in two hospitals in Gaza that were destroyed by Israeli forces, according to agency reports. EU spokesperson Peter Stano stated, “This compels us to call for an independent investigation into all suspicions and circumstances, as it indeed gives an impression that human rights violations may have been committed.”
Palestinian civil defense teams recovered 73 Palestinian victims, including women and children, from the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. The civil defense, in a statement, reported the discovery of a new mass grave created by Israeli forces within the medical complex to bury dozens of Palestinians executed in the hospital. They noted clear evidence of field executions conducted by the occupying forces at the Nasser Medical Complex. The total number of bodies found within the hospital has risen to 283 since the Israeli military withdrawal from Khan Younis about three weeks ago.
Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, Gaza has faced severe humanitarian crises, marked by extensive casualties, widespread displacement, and significant destruction of infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, and many more injured since the conflict began.
The healthcare system in Gaza has been under extreme pressure, with nearly 600 attacks reported on health facilities, leading to significant casualties within these facilities and compounding the challenges faced by medical personnel trying to provide care amid the conflict.
The humanitarian conditions have deteriorated sharply, with most of the population suffering from acute food insecurity. The disruption of basic services, including access to food, clean water, and shelter, has been exacerbated by continuous bombings and other military operations.
The UN has been actively involved in providing psychosocial support, food security, and emergency healthcare, but the scale of the crisis has strained their resources and capabilities.
