The South African government has been irresponsibly spreading propaganda originated by Hamas regarding alleged “mass graves” of Palestinians supposedly dug by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the area around Nasser Hospital in Gaza. South Africa called on the international community to urgently investigate these claims of mass graves being uncovered after IDF withdrawal from the area.
However, a comprehensive collection of reports, documentation, and eyewitness testimonies from both Palestinian and international media sources clearly shows that it was in fact the Palestinian residents themselves who dug mass graves and buried corpses in the vicinity of Nasser Hospital and other facilities in Gaza. This was done out of necessity during the intense fighting when access to cemeteries was difficult or impossible.
Scores of videos, photos, and text reports from major Palestinian media outlets like Al Jazeera, Quds News, Shihab News, and others depict Palestinians independently digging mass graves at Nasser Hospital as early as January 2023, weeks before IDF forces even entered that area. Journalists and influencers documented residents burying dozens and at times over 100 bodies in mass graves dug in the hospital plaza and courtyards.
Rather than acknowledging this overwhelming proof that Hamas’ claims of IDF-dug “mass graves” are categorically false, the South African government has instead chosen to amplify and lend credence to Hamas’ inflammatory propaganda. This reckless move smears Israel and undermines efforts to resolve the conflict through truthful dialogue. The evidence unambiguously shows the “mass graves” in question were tragically dug by the Palestinian residents themselves amid the chaos of war.
See the information below.
The Mass Graves at “Nasser” Hospital – The Palestinian Narrative
- During the last few days, especially after the departure of the 98th Division from the Khan Yunis area, the Palestinians are creating a narrative, according to which the IDF buried the bodies of dead Palestinians in the area of the Nasser Hospital. This issue takes up discourse and reference in the international, regional, and Palestinian arenas. Hamas promotes the narrative in order to create delegitimisation against Israel, while echoing the numbers of casualties.
- The main reports and claims on this issue, which caused the formation of the narrative, began to appear on 20th April in the Palestinian media and were even broadcast live by Al-Jazeera TV from the area of Nasser Hospital. These reports and documents were also published in major channels such as Shihab, A-Risala, and even by influencers from the Gaza Strip.
- Despite the attempts of the Palestinians to create this narrative, it is important to emphasise that there are quite a few testimonies published on social networks that clearly indicate that the dead were buried in those mass graves by the Palestinians themselves, whether in an institutionalised manner or by the residents themselves.
- From conversations with interlocutors, it appears that due to the difficulty in movement and the ability to reach cemeteries during the fighting, the residents buried the dead in their temporary shelters (with an emphasis on Shifa and Nasser hospitals, and schools).
- On 22nd January, and before the forces of Division 98 entered the hospital area, reports and documentation began to emerge about mass graves being dug independently by the Palestinian residents in the Nasser Hospital area. These reports appeared on major channels such as “A-Risala” and “Shihab” and were even covered by major influencers from the Gaza Strip such as Saleh Al-Ja’afrawi.
The narrative – documenting the filling up of bodies in mass graves after the departure of our forces from the Khan Younis area.
- Report about the finding of 50 bodies in a mass grave by the Civilian Defense mechanism at Nasser Hospital (20th April), https://t.me/alkhamisapal/130427
- Continued recovery of bodies from a mass grave at Nasser Hospital (21st April), A-Sharq News Agency, https://did.li/JiJTY
The truth – documentation depicting the digging of mass graves independently by the residents before our forces entered Nasser Hospital
- Excavation of a mass grave for 30 bodies at Nasser Hospital, Sawalif News Agency, (28th January), https://did.li/VKmZH
- Burial of the dead in the plaza of Nasser Hospital, Instagram, (22nd Jan.), https://did.li/zQ6
- Burial of the dead in the plaza of Nasser Hospital, Telegram, (21st January), https://t.me/yaffaps/26742
Reactions in the international arena
South Africa called on the international community to open an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the issue of mass graves, which were uncovered in the Gaza Strip after the withdrawal of our forces from several areas.
The European Union and the United States called for a comprehensive and independent investigation regarding the “mass graves” that were uncovered following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas in the Gaza Strip.
The UN Security Council called on “international justice mechanisms” to conduct an independent investigation concerning the mass graves that were uncovered in Nasser and Shifa hospitals.
The UN Human Rights Office called on Tuesday (23rd April) for an international investigation regarding the “mass graves” found in Shifa and Nasser hospitals in the Gaza Strip.
1. Factions and regions
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “We condemn the ‘Israeli occupation forces’ who continue to commit ‘war crimes’ in the Gaza Strip, the latest of which was the discovery of ‘mass graves’ in Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip.”
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation: “The terrible massacres carried out by the Israeli occupation army in the Palestinian territories, the mass graves in the Nasser medical complex in Khan Yunis, which is a crime against humanity and organised state terrorism, require investigation and punishment in accordance with international law.”
2. The response of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas:
Rawhi Fatouh, Speaker of the Palestinian National Council: “Massacres and mass graves were discovered in the courtyards of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. The occupation forces deliberately hid bodies, buried them in sand, and covered them with debris. As a result, the fate of about 2,000 residents has remained unknown.”
The Hamas movement: “In the new mass grave at Nasser Hospital, more than 50 bodies were found, executed in cold blood and buried with military bulldozers under the soil of the compound’s yards. The mass graves raise questions about the fate of thousands of Palestinians, who are still missing after the withdrawal of the occupation army.”
Selection of reports about an independent Palestinian burial in the area of Nasser Hospital
- 22nd January, Quds News Agency on Telegram. A report on the burial of 40 bodies in Nasser Hospital by residents, https://t.me/QudsN/361352
- 22nd January, Yafa News Agency on Telegram. A video depicting the burial of 40 bodies in mass graves at Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/yaffaps/26742
- 22nd January, Hamza al-Madhoun (journalist) on Instagram. Documentation taken by an online influencer depicting the burial of dozens of bodies at Nasser Hospital, https://did.li/zQ6Nf
- 22nd January, Hasan Islih (journalist) on Telegram. Hasan Islih reported on the burial of 40 bodies in a mass grave in Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/hpress/289231
- 22nd January, Shihab News Agency on Telegram. The spokesman for the Hamas Health Ministry published a report regarding the burial of 40 dead in Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/ShehabTelegram2/47747
- 22nd January, Hamza al-Masri (journalist). Hamza al-Masri reported on the burial of 40 bodies in a mass grave in Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/hamza20300/206255
- 25th January, A-Risala News Agency on Telegram. Documentation of residents burying bodies at Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/alresalahpress/255287
- 25th January, Hamza al-Masri (journalist). Documentation of residents burying bodies at Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/hamza20300/207347
- 25th January, A-Risala News Agency on Telegram. Documentation of residents burying bodies at Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/alresalahpress/255260
- 28th January, Quds News Agency on Telegram. Documentation of mass graves at Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/QudsN/363582
- 28th January, Quds News Agency on Telegram. Documentation of a Palestinian over her son’s grave at Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/QudsN/363648
- 28th January, Hasan Islih (journalist) on Telegram. Documentation of a mass grave of about 30 bodies at Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/hpress/290701
- 28th January, Gaza Now channel on Telegram. The Hamas Information Office reported the burial of 150 residents at Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/gazaalannet/52007
- 28th January, The website of Sawalif news agency. Documentation of Gazans digging a mass grave for 30 dead, https://did.li/VKmZH
- 28th January, Shihab News Agency on Telegram. Documentation of a mass grave of about 30 bodies at Nasser Hospital, https://t.me/ShehabTelegram2/48988
- 28th January, Al-Jazeera news agency on YouTube. Burial of 35 dead in a mass grave at Nasser Hospital, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FhHFSsHFW6M
- 29th January, Al-Jazeera news agency on YouTube. Documentation depicting the continuation of the excavation of the mass graves at Nasser Hospital, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=VpQ0qIT-vLo
