UN says Israel not respecting Gaza burial sites

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterated concerns on Thursday that newly uncovered mass graves could provide critical evidence of war crimes, after forensic teams recovered the remains of entire families in a conflict‑affected area. The chief highlighted that the discovery, which includes dozens of skeletal remains identified through DNA analysis, underscores the scale of civilian casualties and the urgency of thorough investigations to establish accountability for alleged violations of international humanitarian law.

International investigators, supported by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and local authorities, are conducting exhumations and documentation to preserve the evidence for potential judicial proceedings. The findings are expected to inform ongoing inquiries by the International Criminal Court and other mechanisms tasked with probing alleged atrocities. The human rights chief called on all parties to facilitate access for investigators, ensure the preservation of forensic evidence, and cooperate fully with efforts aimed at delivering justice for victims and their families.