UN Human Rights Chief Accuses Israel of Disrespecting Dead Buried Under Gaza Rubble

Areas in war-devastated Gaza continue to be razed by Israeli bulldozers with no respect for the dead, according to the United Nations’ human rights chief. Volker Turk criticized Israel’s actions in clearing rubble in the enclave during a statement issued on Tuesday, following the discovery of extensive remains that have heightened concerns over the concealment or destruction of war crime evidence.

"Much of Gaza has been flattened by Israeli bombing or demolition and clearing by heavy machinery and explosives," Turk stated, warning that areas where the Israeli military remains deployed continue to be leveled without regard for the deceased buried underneath.

The UN human rights chief noted that the remains of what appeared to be entire families, including many women and children, were being unearthed from sites destroyed during Israeli attacks. Israel’s military actions have generated approximately 61 million tonnes of wreckage and debris, an amount the UN estimates could take seven years to clear. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025, regular strikes have persisted, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,300 Palestinians, according to Gaza officials.

Palestinian Civil Defence reports indicate that over 630 bodies and human remains have been recovered from beneath destroyed buildings across Gaza since November 2025, while Palestinian authorities estimate that more than 8,000 individuals remain buried in the wreckage. Turk expressed concern that these findings might represent only the beginning.

Reiterating concerns regarding Israel's military conduct, Turk pointed to the extensive use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas. On September 6, Palestinians in northern Gaza held funerals for approximately 100 people, including 60 children, whose remains were recovered from the rubble. Meanwhile, ongoing operations have continued despite the previous year's truce agreement, with recent incidents including a sniper fatality in the Jabalia refugee camp and deaths resulting from a drone attack in Gaza City, as reported by the enclave’s Ambulance and Emergencies service.