Human Rights experts strongly condemned the discovery of mass graves in the Gaza Strip, where bodies showed signs of torture, execution, and possible burial alive during the Israeli military offensive. They expressed horror at the details of the graves, with over 390 bodies found in hospitals, including women and children. The experts noted that women and minors are especially vulnerable in the conflict, with a high number of civilian casualties disproportionately affecting them.
Nearly half of the 34,000 Palestinians killed are minors, and almost a third are women. The conflict has left over 78,000 injured, with 75% being women. The experts estimate that over 8,000 people are missing, with more than half being women and children. The situation has left thousands of Palestinian minors orphaned and millions internally displaced or facing severe food insecurity.
The UN Human Rights experts who signed the statement are part of the Special Procedures body of the Human Rights Council and work independently on Human Rights issues. They urge for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and protect the rights of women and children who are most vulnerable in the conflict.
The report also mentions cases of forced disappearances involving women and girls subjected to sexual assault by Israeli military forces. These allegations have been met with criticism from human rights organizations around the world for their lack of investigation by Israeli government officials.
In addition to this issue, pregnant and breastfeeding women face deplorable conditions due to direct bombing of hospitals, lack of medical resources, denial of access to healthcare facilities put many at serious risk.
The destruction caused by Israeli military operations has severely affected women’s access to basic hygiene products and medical care. Women’s homes have been destroyed along with daily life activities which has disproportionately affected them leading to an increase in spontaneous abortions rates as well as food poverty.
It is important that Israel stops all hostilities immediately so that Palestinian families can start rebuilding their lives without fear for their safety. States should also cease arms exports that contribute to violence against innocent men, women
