The U.S. is demanding “answers” from Israel following the discovery of mass graves near two hospitals in Gaza. Palestinian authorities discovered nearly 400 bodies in mass graves outside the Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals. The remains include those of women and the elderly. Some of the bodies were found naked with their hands tied behind their backs.
“Among the deceased were allegedly older people, women and wounded, while others were found tied with their hands and stripped of their clothes,” said a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. “This of course indicates serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and these need to be subjected to further investigations.”
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan called the reports “deeply disturbing.”
“We want answers,” Sullivan told reporters. “We want to see this thoroughly and transparently investigated.”
The Israeli army has denied responsibility, calling any suggestions to the contrary “baseless” and “unfounded.” It claims the graves were “dug by Gazans” months ago.
‘LOSING THE PR WAR.’
Despite warnings of an imminent humanitarian crisis, Israel plans on evacuating Palestinian civilians from Rafah. The Israeli Defence Ministry acquired 40,000 tents to accommodate Palestinians evacuated from Rafah in anticipation of assault.
Should allegations of Israeli responsibility for the mass graves prove true, it will be a significant blow to the Jewish State’s reputation and ability to continue its war against Hamas. The Israeli military response and civilian death toll in Gaza has increased global sympathy for the Palestinians. Politicians in countries that are key Israeli allies, including the U.S. and UK, have called to cease arms shipments to Israel. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that Israel is losing a vital PR war and must finish up its military action in Gaza quickly.
