GAZA: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has admitted to digging up Palestinian graves in a Gaza cemetery.
Earlier this week, footage emerged of a bulldozed cemetery in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, revealing cracked tombstones and some human remains.
In a statement provided to American television NBC, the IDF said it had dug up graves in the cemetery to determine whether dead hostages were buried there.
“The hostage identification process, conducted in a safe and alternative location, ensures optimal professional conditions and respect for the deceased,” it said, despite photos from the cemetery showing extensive damage.
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“Bodies that are not hostages are returned with dignity and respect.
“If not for Hamas’ reprehensible decision to take Israeli men, women, children and infants hostage, there would be no need for such searches…
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it killed the deputy propaganda chief of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in an airstrike.
He stated that Wael Abu Fanounah was responsible for producing hostage propaganda videos and editing footage of rockets fired at Israel.
In a joint statement, the IDF and Shin Bet did not say where the operation took place.
They accused Abu Fanounah of previously acting as a deputy to Khalil Bahtini, the deputy commander of Palestinian Islamic Jihad in northern Gaza.
