Houthis threaten to expand Red Sea operations after mass grave discovered in Gaza

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to expand their military operations against Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, following the discovery of a mass grave in Gaza.

The group’s political office said via their Al-Masirah TV channel denouncing the "genocidal crimes" committed by the Israeli army against Palestinians.

It comes after 280 bodies were uncovered in the past three days at a hospital in Khan Younis with the victims believed to have been killed and their bodies dumped by Israeli forces.

"For the seventh month in a row, the genocidal crimes of the Israeli enemy continue, the latest of which is the brutal massacre in the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis," the statement read.

It also called on the "Yemeni armed forces to escalate their operations in the Red Sea", saying that the Yemeni people continue to stand in full support of the people of Gaza.

Rescue teams estimate that the actual number of dead could be much higher with bodies found with hands bound behind their backs, in a sign of possible execution.

The mass graves were discovered weeks after Israeli forces ended a three-month occupation of Khan Younis, where they repeatedly attacked the Al-Nasser Hospital and reportedly carried out executions on the spot.

The hospital was considered one of Gaza’s biggest but by February was barely functioning after Israeli forces launched a deadly raid on it, where hundreds were detained and medical staff beaten.

The UN on Monday described the reports of mass graves in Gaza as "extremely troubling" and urged for an investigation.

"Yet another reason is, if we needed one, for all of these sites to be fully investigated, in a way that is credible and independent," Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a press briefing.

'Horrific massacres'

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned what they called "horrific massacres" carried out by Israel following the discovery of the mass graves.

A statement from the organisation says the discovery is an indication that "hundreds of displaced, injured and the sick as well as medical convoys were subjected to forms of torture and abuse before they were executed and given mass burial".

OIC Condemns Mass Murder by Israeli Occupation in the Gaza Strip: https://t.co/fG8yc8Vl06 pic.twitter.com/Sel4LPITut

— OIC (@OIC_OCI) April 22, 2024

The OIC renewed calls for the international community and the UN Security Council to take action to stop the war on Gaza and provide protection to civilians.

Earlier this month, a mass grave was found in the courtyard of Al-Shifa Medical Complex.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 34,100 Palestinians since 7 October and wounded over 77,000 people during the same period. Most of the victims have been women and children.

The indiscriminate bombing has collapsed the enclave’s healthcare system and caused widespread destruction.

Around 85 percent of Gaza’s population has been pushed into internal displacement camps, while there are severe food and water shortages across the besieged enclave.