UN calls for 'credible' investigation on reports of mass grave in Gaza

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN on Monday described the reports of mass grave in Gaza as "extremely troubling" and called for a "credible" investigation into the sites where the grave is located.

"Yet another reason is, if we needed one, for all of these sites to be fully investigated, in a way that is credible and independent," Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a press briefing when asked about the uncovering of at least 283 bodies of people from a mass grave at the Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis.

Dujarric said a cease-fire is needed "to see an end to this conflict" in Gaza, reiterating the necessity of providing humanitarian workers with increased access, safeguarding hospitals, and releasing hostages.

A mass grave was found in the hospital’s courtyard on Saturday after the Israeli army withdrew from the city on April 7 following a 4-month ground offensive.

Israel has waged a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border Hamas attack on Oct. 7 last year, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people.

At least 34,151 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 77,00 others injured amid mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.