UN Raises War Crimes Concerns over Gaza Bodies

The recovery of hundreds of bodies from the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip has raised fresh concerns about possible war crimes, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

Among the remains being recovered are those of what appeared to be entire families, with many of the victims women and children, Türk said. The Palestinian Civil Defence says more than 630 bodies and human remains have been recovered from beneath destroyed buildings since November 2025, while Palestinian authorities estimate that more than 8,000 people remain buried in the wreckage.

Warning that the remains recovered so far may be “only the tip of the iceberg”, Türk cited a 2024 UN report that found Israeli strikes on residential buildings and other civilian sites during the early weeks of the war may have violated international humanitarian law.

Israel has also blocked the entry of heavy machinery needed to remove rubble, according to Türk. Israeli authorities did not immediately comment on the latest allegations but have repeatedly denied deliberately targeting civilians and say the country acted in accordance with international law while fighting Hamas in Gaza.

Türk called for international investigators to be granted access to all parts of Gaza to help preserve evidence for ongoing legal proceedings examining conduct during the war.

(Reuters, bak)