Israel lacking respect for dead buried in Gaza rubble: UN

The United Nations human rights chief has renewed warnings about the treatment of destroyed areas in Gaza, saying heavy machinery and demolition have been used to clear rubble "with no respect for the dead." Volker Turk said recent recoveries of extensive human remains, including what appeared to be whole families, have heightened fears that evidence relevant to alleged war crimes could be lost or concealed amid clearance operations. Turk noted that many of those whose remains have been found were women and children, and described it as heartbreaking for families who had been missing for long periods. Palestinian Civil Defence reported that more than 630 bodies and human remains have been recovered from under destroyed buildings since November 2025, and Gaza authorities estimate upwards of 8,000 people may still be trapped beneath the wreckage. The UN official also pointed to the broader scale of destruction across the enclave. Much of Gaza has been flattened by bombing or subsequent demolition, generating roughly 61 million tonnes of debris — an amount the UN says could take around seven years to clear. Turk reiterated concerns about the extensive use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas and warned these practices may not be effectively distinguishing between civilians and fighters. Fighting and strikes have continued despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreed in October 2025. Gaza officials say more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed since that truce took effect, and the Israeli military remains active in the territory. The report cited recent incidents including a man shot by a sniper in the Jabalia refugee camp and at least two people killed in a drone strike on an industrial area of Gaza City, according to local sources.