The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) targeted over 16 cemeteries in their ground assault in Gaza, resulting in the destruction of tombstones by bulldozers, overturning of soil, and, in some cases, exhumation of bodies.

This was carried out under the pretext of searching for the remains of their captives in Gaza.

International law considers the destruction of religious sites such as cemeteries a violation, and human rights activists affirm that the Israeli Occupation's aggression amounts to war crimes, as reported by the American CNN network.

The Israeli Occupation army used cemeteries as military sites, in addition to setting up barriers to fortify its positions.

On Dec. 18 of last year, the Israeli Occupation army posted an undated photo claiming it showed a missile launch platform belonging to Hamas on the grounds of the Shujaiya cemetery.

The Israeli Occupation deliberately and gradually excavated the Bani Suhaila cemetery east of Khan Yunis. It erected defensive fortifications over at least two weeks at the end of December and the beginning of January, as reported by CNN. 

International law experts affirmed that desecrating cemeteries contradicts the Rome Statute, a 1998 treaty establishing and governing the International Criminal Court for the prosecution of war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and aggression. The Israeli Occupation originally supported the establishment of the court but did not ratify the Rome Statute.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Occupation continues its aggression on Gaza, intensifying airstrikes on various areas in the strip and committing massacres through aerial raids and artillery shelling.