UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council called for an immediate independent investigation into mass graves allegedly containing hundreds of bodies near hospitals in Gaza.

Members of the council expressed in a statement their “deep concern over reports of the discovery of mass graves, in and around the Nasser and Shifa medical facilities in Gaza, where several hundred bodies, including women, children and older persons, were buried.”

They stressed the need for “accountability” for any violations of international law and urged that investigators be given “unimpeded access to all locations of mass graves in Gaza to conduct immediate, independent, thorough, comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigations.”

Israel has repeatedly struck hospitals in Gaza since the beginning of its military operation in the enclave, which was prompted by an October 7 attack on Israeli residential communities and a music festival by Hamas militants.

Israel has accused Hamas of using these medical facilities as command centers and in some instances as places where it held hostages abducted during Hamas’ October 7 attack.

(VOA)