Middle East Crisis: U.S. and 17 Other Countries Urge Hamas to Free Captives

Palestinian officials in Gaza have made a shocking discovery of a mass grave on the grounds of a hospital, with the tally of bodies rising to 392 from 283. The Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, has become the site of the largest mass grave since the beginning of the war, according to Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza’s Civil Defense.

The conflicting accounts between Israel and Gazan authorities have raised questions about how and when the bodies were buried. Gazan officials claim that the mass graves were dug before an Israeli raid in February, but Israel denies responsibility for digging the graves, stating that they were dug by Gazans themselves.

A New York Times analysis of social media videos and satellite imagery revealed that Palestinians had dug at least two of the burial sites weeks before Israeli troops raided the complex. The initial burials took place in January and February during a weekslong Israeli offensive in the city.

While the cause of death for the individuals buried at the Nasser Medical Complex remains unclear, the discovery of the mass grave highlights the toll of the ongoing conflict and the impact on hospitals, which have become flashpoints in the war. Israeli officials claim that raids on medical centers are necessary to root out Hamas fighters embedded within the facilities, a claim denied by Hamas and medical workers.

The international community has called for an independent investigation into the mass graves, with President Biden’s national security adviser urging Israel to thoroughly investigate the reports. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights cited reports of bodies found with their hands tied and stripped of their clothes, although these claims could not be independently verified.

Amnesty International has called for human rights investigators and forensic experts to have immediate access to Gaza to ensure accountability for any violations of international law. The discovery of the mass grave at Nasser Hospital came two weeks after a similar mass grave was found at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

The harrowing accounts of families searching for their loved ones among the mass graves highlight the human tragedy of the conflict. Jihad al-Bayouk, who lost his brother in an Israeli drone strike, described the heartbreaking search for his brother’s body on the hospital grounds.

As the investigation into the mass graves continues, the international community is watching closely to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families. The discovery of these graves serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.