Gaza, January 26 (QNA) - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has reported that Israeli forces systematically destroyed cemeteries, exhumed and desecrated graves, and tampered with the bodies of Palestinian martyrs during their recent attacks on Gaza, seizing dozens of remains.

In a statement on Monday, the monitor expressed deep concern over the widespread exhumations carried out by Israeli occupation forces in eastern Gaza City under the pretext of searching for the remains of the last Israeli captives in the territory. The organization stressed that this justification does not permit any violation of the sanctity of Palestinian graves or interference with the remains of the deceased.

The monitor noted that it had documented reports of Israeli occupation forces exhuming some 200 graves in a cemetery in al-Shuja'iyya neighborhood near the so-called "Yellow Line." It added that the opening of graves is ongoing, with no independent verification or neutral investigative arrangements to determine whether examinations are being conducted properly, or whether remains are being taken or removed elsewhere.

It warned that the widespread and ongoing exhumations, conducted in the absence of any neutral Palestinian or international body, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, greatly increase the risk of desecrating graves and mishandling remains, including the theft or untraceable displacement of bodies.

The rights monitor highlighted that such practices violate not only the dignity of the deceased but also inflict severe psychological trauma on their families, leaving them in constant uncertainty about the fate and burial sites of their loved ones, and depriving them of any official investigation or information, a form of cruel torment for the bereaved.

According to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, Israeli occupation forces have destroyed 21 out of 60 cemeteries in Gaza over the past two years and have systematically desecrated graves in all areas where they carried out ground incursions.

The monitor cited multiple testimonies indicating that Israeli forces leveled cemeteries during military operations in Beit Hanoun, Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, central Gaza City, and carried out extensive destruction and desecration in a cemetery in central Khan Younis in the south. (QNA)