UN Calls for International Access to Gaza After Bodies Found
The United Nations has called for international investigators to be given access to all parts of Gaza to help collect evidence and investigate possible violations of international law. The request comes after hundreds of bodies were reportedly discovered beneath the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israeli airstrikes.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the discovery of human remains has raised serious concerns about possible war crimes. He said entire families are being found beneath buildings that were destroyed during the conflict, with many of the victims believed to be women and children.
Turk warned that the bodies discovered so far may represent only a small part of the total number of people still buried under the rubble. Large parts of Gaza have been heavily damaged or destroyed during the conflict, making it difficult to locate and identify those who remain missing.
The United Nations said international investigators should be allowed to enter different areas of Gaza so they can properly document what happened. Investigators could help collect and preserve evidence, identify victims and establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
According to the Palestinian Civil Defence, more than 630 bodies have been recovered from the rubble since November last year. Authorities also estimate that more than 8,000 people remain missing and could still be trapped under destroyed buildings.
Turk stressed that identifying the victims is an important humanitarian responsibility. Families need to know what happened to their relatives, while evidence must also be carefully preserved if future investigations or legal proceedings take place.
The discovery of large numbers of human remains in Gaza City has renewed international concerns about alleged violations during the conflict. The UN has repeatedly stressed the importance of independent investigations into allegations made by both sides.
The current conflict began after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed and injured many people and resulted in the taking of hostages. Israel then launched a major military campaign in Gaza against Hamas.
According to UN figures cited in the report, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict, including more than 1,350 deaths reported since the ceasefire last October. Israeli authorities have also reported significant casualties resulting from the Hamas attack and the subsequent conflict.
The humanitarian situation remains extremely difficult, with large numbers of people displaced and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. The UN says that finding and identifying bodies buried under destroyed buildings is becoming increasingly urgent.
International investigators could play an important role in documenting the situation and preserving evidence. The UN’s latest appeal highlights the need for access, transparency and independent investigation so that victims can be identified and allegations of serious violations can be properly examined.