NHK's analysis of satellite imagery has found at least 10 cemeteries in the Gaza Strip have been damaged as Israel continues military operations there.

NHK analyzed satellite images from across Gaza to assess whether and to what degree there has been damage to cemeteries.

NHK identified 28 cemeteries in the strip. In at least 10 of them destroyed graves or craters could be seen.

An image taken on December 6 shows no visible damage at a gravesite about 1.7 kilometers east of the central part of Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

But an image of the same cemetery captured on December 22 shows graves had been cleared from an area of about 2,500 square meters where instead many vehicles were parked.

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, headquartered in Switzerland, said on December 14 that the Israeli army has repeatedly targeted several cemeteries in Gaza, leaving widespread destruction.

The human rights organization also said that "Israel systematically violates the sanctity of the dead and of cemeteries" in flagrant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law.

The group noted that Israel has violated the Geneva Convention which states that graves must be respected and properly maintained.

An Israeli military official told NHK that Hamas fighters operate from mosques, schools, hospitals and cemeteries.

The official said that Israeli troops abide by related rules of international law and take every possible precautionary measure when they carry out operations.

The official added that troops launch attacks on military targets only after assessing possible collateral damage to civilians or civilian properties to ensure that the damage is not excessive relative to the military gain expected to be obtained by the attacks.