The retrieval of hundreds of bodies from the debris of buildings demolished by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza during a conflict almost three years ago has sparked fresh concerns of potential war crimes, as stated by the United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday. Volker Türk highlighted that the remains of complete families, predominantly women and children, are being uncovered from locations targeted in Israeli attacks. The recent discoveries have reignited worries initially identified in a 2024 UN report, indicating possible violations of international humanitarian law by Israel through strikes on residential structures and other civilian areas in the early stages of the conflict.
Despite requests for comments, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and Foreign Ministry did not provide an immediate response. Israel has consistently refuted accusations of deliberately targeting civilians, asserting its compliance with international law while combating Hamas militants in Gaza. The conflict, initiated following a fatal incursion by Hamas into Israel in October 2023, has led to the creation of approximately 61 million tons of wreckage and debris in Gaza, projected to require up to seven years for clearance, according to the United Nations.
While a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ceased major hostilities in October 2025, ongoing Israeli strikes persist, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce. The Palestinian Civil Defence has reported the recovery of over 630 bodies and human remains from beneath destroyed structures across Gaza since November 2025, estimating that more than 8,000 individuals are still buried in the rubble.
Expressing apprehension, Türk suggested that the recovered remains might represent just a fraction of the total casualties, highlighting extensive destruction in Gaza resulting from Israeli bombings and subsequent clearance operations. He criticized Israel for continuing to demolish areas in Gaza where its forces are stationed, operating bulldozers without regard for those buried beneath the ruins.
According to Israeli records, the 2023 attacks orchestrated by Hamas led to the deaths of 1,200 individuals in Israel, with an additional 251 taken captive. Gaza health authorities have reported that over 73,000 Palestinians lost their lives during Israel’s military campaign. The UN rights chief has called for international investigators to be granted access across all regions of Gaza to aid in evidence preservation, referencing ongoing legal inquiries into conduct during the conflict.
Israel’s obstruction of heavy machinery entry required for rubble removal has been highlighted in Türk’s statement. Francesca Albanese, the UN expert for Palestinian territories, emphasized the importance of collecting evidence and identifying human remains before commencing full clearance operations. Recent reports from the Palestinian Civil Defence indicate the recovery of 96 bodies and human remains, including 58 children and 23 women, from a single site in the Zeitoun area of Gaza City this month.