---
title: "Egypt: UN calls for investigation into burial of over 300 bodies in North Sinai mass grave, following documented allegations by rights organizations"
slug: "egypt-un-calls-for-investigation-into-burial-of-over-300-bodies-in-north-sinai-mass-grave-following-documented-allegations-by-rights-organizations"
post_type: "post"
published_at: "2026-07-06T15:19:47+01:00"
modified_at: "2026-07-06T14:22:59+01:00"
author: "ahamdy"
url: "https://cihrs.org/egypt-un-calls-for-investigation-into-burial-of-over-300-bodies-in-north-sinai-mass-grave-following-documented-allegations-by-rights-organizations/?lang=en"
category:
  - "Egypt /Road Map Program"
  - "Statements and Position Papers"
causes_and_rights:
  - "Access and Exchange of Information"
  - "Arbitrary Detention"
  - "Enforced Disappearance"
  - "Extrajudicial killing"
  - "Humane Treatment and Protection from Torture"
country:
  - "Egypt"
field:
  - "Regional and International Protection and Advocacy"
interest:
  - "Statements and Positions"
protection_and_advocacy:
  - "United Nations Mechanisms"
---

# Egypt: UN calls for investigation into burial of over 300 bodies in North Sinai mass grave, following documented allegations by rights organizations

Allegations of grave violations committed during North Sinai counter-terrorism operations, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, are the subject of an official communication [(AL EGY 1/2026)](https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=30776) to the Egyptian government sent by a group of United Nations experts[\[1\]](#_ftn1) on 15 April 2026. The allegations are based on documented information submitted by the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights (SFHR), the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), and the Egyptian Front for Human Rights (EFHR); with emphasis on the [research](https://sinaifhr.org/MixEdit/xcrud/xcrud_ajax.php?xcrud%5Binstance%5D=31c031d98b4b425e4cfa573e357b7d0b207e39c0&xcrud%5Bfield%5D=edit.pdf_file&xcrud%5Bprimary%5D=627&xcrud%5Bkey%5D=339a8926e57e119d550b1f16a980549ad3f14890&xcrud%5Btask%5D=file&xcrud%5Brand%5D=6xm383ry2qcc0k4g) by SFHR in partnership with Forensic Architecture, published in September 2025. A mass grave site in a desert area was identified by the investigation, located approximately 20 kilometers south of the city of Al-Arish in North Sinai Governorate. Situated in a tightly restricted military zone inaccessible to civilians since 2014, the grave consists of two adjacent burial pits, evidenced to have been used in successive phases over several years. Human skulls numbering at least 36 and skeletal remains were exposed and visible on the surface. Over 300 individuals are estimated to have been buried at the site. Several bodies were dressed in civilian clothing, while others bore indications of being bound or blindfolded at the time of their deaths. Repeated movement of four-wheel-drive or military-type vehicles around the site between 2015 and 2023 is further revealed by satellite imagery. Multiple security installations surround the area, including watchtowers and fortified military positions established between 2014 and 2022. The site was under regular military surveillance, the experts noted, and some of those buried there were indicated to have been in security force custody prior to their deaths. **Extrajudicial killing** The experts expressed grave concern over allegations of unlawful killings by security forces or security-affiliated armed groups, since at least 2013. In numerous cases, victims were alive in security force custody immediately prior to their deaths, according to eyewitness accounts. The bodies of several victims showed signs of close-range gunshot wounds, physical restraint, and abuse. Official figures released by the Egyptian Armed Forces state that 5,053 individuals described as 'terrorist elements' were killed between 2013 and 2022. This figure significantly exceeds estimates of the total size of armed groups operating in Sinai during the same period, which ranged between 1,000 and 1,500 fighters. This discrepancy suggests that a substantial number of civilians were among those killed. **Arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance** Widespread arrest campaigns conducted across North Sinai over the past decade were also documented by the three rights groups’ complaint to the UN. Thousands of individuals were reportedly detained during security sweeps, home raids, and at military checkpoints. Many families reported receiving no official information regarding the fate or whereabouts of their detained relative. A large number of detainees have been held in unofficial or secret detention facilities, as indicated by available information. Some of these are located in military compounds, including Al-Saha Camp in Rafah, Al-Zohour Camp in Sheikh Zuwayed, and Battalion 101 in Al-Arish. Detainees held in these facilities have reportedly been denied access to legal counsel and prevented from communicating with their families. The UN communication also documents a recurring pattern whereby individuals who had previously been reported as forcibly disappeared were later pronounced dead following alleged armed confrontations, despite indications that they had in fact been in the custody of the security forces at the time of those operations. **Torture and ill-treatment** The official UN communication also documents allegations that hundreds of detainees, including children, have been subjected to various forms of torture and ill-treatment in detention facilities linked to counter-terrorism operations in North Sinai. Severe beatings, electric shocks, suspension in stress positions, and threats to harm family members, are among the alleged abuses. Conditions in unofficial detention sites are described as abysmal, characterized by severe overcrowding, prolonged solitary confinement, denial of medical care, and inadequate access to food and water. **Recruitment of tribal militias** Security forces recruited, trained, and armed tribal militias or local auxiliary groups, known as ‘mandoubeen’, to support counter-insurgency operations in North Sinai, as indicated by reports. These groups have been involved in arbitrary detention, abuse, and extortion of civilians, according to the allegations, which also implicated them in providing information that led to the targeting of individuals. These groups operate outside the framework of the law, the experts note, with no clearly defined powers or accountability mechanisms. **Forced displacement and destruction of civilian homes and property** Since 2013, widespread demolition and land-clearing operations have been conducted in North Sinai targeting homes, civilian structures, and agricultural land in areas designated as ‘security zones’ or ‘operational areas.’ At least 12,000 homes and civilian structures were demolished between 2013 and 2020, and thousands of hectares of agricultural land and orchards were cleared, as indicated by available figures. Many families reported that they received no prior notice of eviction or demolition orders and were not given sufficient time to leave their homes. Over 150,000 North Sinai residents have been displaced by these operations. **Discriminate Targeting of Bedouin communities** The experts expressed grave concern over the situation of the Bedouin communities—recognized as Indigenous Peoples—who constitute approximately two-thirds of North Sinai's population. They have been collectively punished and systematically discriminated against, on the basis of their identity, according to allegations. Demolitions, forced displacement, and the destruction of livelihoods have disproportionately afflicted Bedouin communities, depriving them of access to their land, pastures, and coastline. **Restrictions on freedom of movement, access, and information** Access to North Sinai has remained almost entirely restricted for journalists, independent researchers, human rights organizations, and humanitarian actors, fostering an isolated environment subject to information blackout that has severely hindered the documentation of violations and efforts to ensure accountability. Individuals and organizations attempting to monitor or report on the situation have reportedly been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and smear campaigns. In their communication, the experts conclude that the alleged violations constitute a clear breach of Egypt's international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture, to which Egypt acceded in 1986, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Some of these violations may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity under international humanitarian law, with emphasis on unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, and widespread destruction of civilian property. The UN experts called on the Egyptian government to provide detailed information on 26 principal issues, including: the legislative framework governing security operations; any investigations into the discovered mass grave, previous or ongoing, including procedures for identifying the bodies and notifying their families; the measures taken to determine fate of enforced disappearance victims; accountability mechanisms for deaths in custody and extrajudicial killings; investigations into allegations of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, including children; the legal basis for the recruitment of tribal militias and mechanisms in place to ensure their accountability; the legal justification for the widespread demolition of homes and destruction of agricultural land, as well as the measures taken to compensate displaced residents and facilitate their return; measures adopted to safeguard children's right to education; and the reasons for restricting access to the governorate for journalists, independent monitors, and human rights organizations. Should the allegations be substantiated, the Egyptian government must take all necessary interim measures to bring these alleged violations to an end, the UN experts urged, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) The group comprises nine UN mandate holders: the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights; the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; the Special Rapporteur on the right to education; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing; the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; and the Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas.