UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has criticized the conduct of the Israeli military in areas of the Gaza Strip under its control, saying Israeli forces are continuing to bulldoze sites where human remains could still be buried under the rubble.
"I worry the remains recovered so far may only be the tip of the iceberg. Much of Gaza has been flattened by Israeli bombing or demolition and clearing by heavy machinery and explosives," Türk said in Geneva on Tuesday.
"Today, many areas in Gaza where the Israeli military is deployed continue to be levelled by bulldozers with no respect for the dead under the rubble," he continued.
The Israeli armed forces said they were investigating the claims.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) emphasizes that relatives have the right to bury their family members with dignity. At the same time, it says any evidence of breaches of international law during the Israeli attacks must also be secured.
"These attacks must be effectively investigated. Where violations are established, those responsible must be held to account. I urge all States to press for greater cooperation and coordination to ensure the recovery of bodies across all of Gaza in a dignified and humane way," Türk said.
The OHCHR documented in 2024 that Israel's use of heavy bombs in residential areas may have violated international law.
Türk called for international investigators to be granted access to all parts of the Gaza Strip to assist with the preservation of evidence.
The Palestinian authorities say the remains of 630 people have been recovered since November 2025. According to the OHCHR, at least 8,000 people are missing across the Gaza Strip.