The recovery of hundreds of bodies from the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Gaza war has renewed concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law, the United Nations human rights chief said on Tuesday.
Reuters reported on 15 September 2026 that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said remains appearing to belong to entire families were being recovered from destroyed sites, with many of the victims women and children.
Palestinian Civil Defence authorities say more than 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 people may still be buried under the rubble.
Türk called for international investigators to be granted access to Gaza to help preserve evidence. Israel has repeatedly rejected allegations that it deliberately targets civilians and says its military has acted in accordance with international law while fighting Hamas.
The UN estimates that the conflict generated about 61 million tonnes of debris. A US-brokered ceasefire ended full-scale fighting in October 2025, although strikes have continued amid mutual accusations of violations.
Source: Reuters.
