The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has reported a series of attacks by the Israeli army on several cemeteries in the Gaza Strip. These attacks have resulted in widespread destruction, desecration of graves, and even the theft of dead bodies.

Grave Desecration and Destruction

The majority of cemeteries in the Gaza Strip have been targeted, including Al-Falujah cemetery in northern Gaza, Ali bin Marwan, Sheikh Radwan, Al-Shuhada, and Sheikh Shaaban cemeteries, as well as St. Porphyrius Church cemetery in Gaza City and Al-Shuhada cemetery in the northern town of Beit Lahia. The attacks have caused significant damage, destroying dozens of graves and showing a complete disregard for the sanctity of the dead.

The frequent Israeli attacks have resulted in large holes being created within these cemeteries, engulfing dozens of graves. The remains of some bodies have been scattered or disappeared, while dozens of graves remain seriously damaged.

Theft of Dead Bodies

Reports received by Euro-Med Monitor confirm that the Israeli army dug up several graves in Al-Faluga cemetery and stole dead bodies, believed to belong to Palestinian activists. There are fears that their organs might be stolen.

International Complicity and Violation of International Law

Euro-Med Monitor has emphasized that Israel’s actions, even against the dead, are part of its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which started on 7 October. These actions are a flagrant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law and the rules of war regarding the protection of cemeteries during armed conflicts.

Rule 115 of customary international humanitarian law states, “The dead must be disposed of in a respectful manner and their graves respected and properly maintained”. Article 130 of the Geneva Convention of 1949 also states that graves must be respected, properly maintained, and marked in such a way that they can always be recognized.

Establishment of Mass Graves

According to Euro-Med Monitor, more than 120 mass graves were recently established across the Gaza Strip to bury those killed in Israel’s ongoing genocide of Gazans. This is due to the difficulty of accessing the main and regular cemeteries and the non-stop Israeli attacks.

Families in the Gaza Strip have resorted to creating random mass graves in residential neighbourhoods, courtyards, roads, wedding halls, and stadiums. More than 120 of these mass graves have been established so far.

Call for Adherence to International Law

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor reiterated that Israel, like any other country, must abide by the principles of international law. These principles stipulate that the dead must be respected and protected during armed conflicts and that the parties involved must take all reasonable steps to prevent the confiscation and dismemberment of the dead bodies.