Israel-Iran conflict and war in Gaza.
ONU calls for investigation into Gaza graves where bodies “with hands tied” have been found.
The ONU’s High Commissioner for Human Rights said he was “horrified” by the discovery. The US is investigating alleged abuses by the Israeli army in the Strip.
The United Nations on Monday called for a “credible and independent” investigation into the discovery of mass graves outside several hospitals in the Gaza Strip containing hundreds of bodies. UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said during a press conference that these reports “are extremely worrying”. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said he was “horrified” by the discovery and condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza in recent days. Among the victims crammed into mass graves, the organisation said, some had their hands tied. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Monday that Washington is investigating possible abuses by the Israeli military in Gaza and denied having “double standards” in applying the law to its ally. “We apply the same standard to everyone,” he said in an appearance following the release of the State Department’s annual human rights report.
Israel launches heavy assault on northern Gaza
The Israeli military launched one of the heaviest bombardments in recent weeks on northern Gaza overnight. The army tanks made a new incursion east of Beit Hanoun, in the far north of the Strip, and several shots hit some schools where displaced people are sheltering, residents and local media reported on Tuesday.
Shelling raged against east Beit Hanoun and Jabalia and continued into the early hours of the morning in areas such as Zeitoun, one of Gaza City’s oldest suburbs. West of Beit Hanoun, in Beit Lahiya, medics and Hamas media report that attacks have hit a mosque.
In southern Israeli towns near the border, alarms were also sounded but no casualties have been reported. The armed wing of Hamas-allied Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks on Sderot and Nir Am.