IDF refutes claims of soldiers digging 'mass graves' in Khan Yunis

Hamas previously announced the discovery of three mass graves in Khan Yunis at the Nasser Hospital's premises. These graves purportedly contained the bodies of 310 Palestinians. Hamas accused Israeli soldiers of allegedly executing Palestinian civilians and burying them.

The IDF has refuted these allegations, asserting that the bodies were relocated from burial sites on the hospital grounds for examination. Subsequently, they were returned to the hospital and reinterred in early March.

It's worth recalling that around 400 bodies were reportedly examined at that time. Israeli authorities conducted these checks to ascertain if any of the bodies belonged to Israelis abducted on October 7. After examination, the bodies were returned to their original burial sites.

As reported by Haaretz on Tuesday, April 23, Hamas accused Israel of purportedly using bulldozers to bury the deceased. The IDF vehemently denies these accusations, labeling them as baseless. The Israel Defense Forces emphasizes that soldiers handled the situation with caution and respect for the deceased. They only intervened in areas where intelligence suggested the possible burial of abducted persons.

During the war in Gaza, Israeli troops exhumed bodies multiple times in cemeteries and hospital grounds while searching for abducted individuals.

It's worth noting that during the war, Palestinians indeed established a cemetery on the premises of the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. This cemetery included those killed as a result of the conflict. Photos from news agencies Reuters, AFP, and AP, including those from January 2024, corroborate this fact. In their quest to accuse Israel of "war crimes", it was discovered that it was the Gaza authorities who dug up these graves.