Israel claims bodies found at Gaza hospital were older bodies disinterred in hostage search

Israel has claimed that evidence of mass graves found at a Gaza hospital were previously buried bodies that they had disinterred during their search for hostages.

"The claim that the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) buried Palestinian bodies is baseless and unfounded," the military said in a statement.

It also said its forces had returned bodies to where they had been buried, after they were examined.

"The examination was conducted in a careful manner and exclusively in places where intelligence indicated the possible presence of hostages. The examination was carried out respectfully while maintaining the dignity of the deceased."

The Palestinian civil defence on Sunday said it had found hundreds of bodies of Palestinians buried in mass graves by Israeli forces in the courtyard of Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. 

At least 200 bodies had been retrieved from two mass graves in the medical compound as of Sunday noon local time. 

As the search continued, rescuers estimated there to be at least 400 bodies. 

The Gaza government media office said some of bodies found had been decapitated, and had their skin and organs removed. According to Al Jazeera, the bodies of children, elderly women and young men were among those found.