CNN —Israeli forces severely damaged a cemetery in Khan Younis in southern Gaza earlier this week, exhuming and removing bodies in what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told CNN was part of a search for the remains of hostages seized by Hamas during the October 7 terror attacks.
In response to CNN’s request for comment on the damaging of graves, the IDF told CNN on Thursday that rescuing the hostages and finding and returning their bodies is one of their key missions in Gaza, which is why the bodies were removed.
Israel has said that 253 people were taken hostage during the Hamas attack and believes 132 hostages are still in Gaza – 105 of them alive and 27 dead.
Late on Tuesday, Israeli forces began moving towards the hospital, prompting crowds of people to flee.
The IDF said on Tuesday that Hamas had recently carried out a launch from within the hospital compound towards Israeli forces in Khan Younis.
Persons:
Khan Younis, ”, “, Maxar, Al Nasser, Younis
Organizations:
CNN, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, World Health Organization, Hamas, IDF “, Jordanian Armed Forces
Locations:
Khan, Gaza, Israel, Jordanian