A United Nations expert has expressed concerns that the removal of debris in Gaza by Israel could eliminate crucial evidence of “atrocity crimes” and hinder the identification of human remains. The assault on Gaza, initiated in response to a deadly incursion by Hamas into Israel in October 2023, has resulted in an estimated 61 million tons of rubble and wreckage that may require up to seven years to clear, as reported by the United Nations.
Francesca Albanese, the UN specialist overseeing the Palestinian territories, issued a statement titled “UN expert warns Israeli rubble-clearing could erase traces of atrocity crimes,” emphasizing the importance of Palestinian involvement in waste removal plans. She highlighted reports received by her office in August regarding Israel’s systematic removal, crushing, and transportation of rubble, stressing the need to gather evidence and identify human remains before full clearance operations commence.
Describing the rubble in devastated Gaza as more than just construction debris, Albanese characterized it as integral to a crime scene, a burial ground, and a tangible record of the brutal bombing campaign endured over two years. While multiple sources have indicated the involvement of Israeli companies in the clearance activities, specific sources were not disclosed, and queries regarding the information source were left unanswered by Albanese’s office.
Requests for comments from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, prime minister’s office, and military went unanswered at the time of reporting. Historically, these entities have strongly contested Albanese’s criticisms, as she has emerged as a prominent critic of Israel’s military engagements in Gaza. Earlier this year, Germany, France, and Italy criticized what they perceived as excessively negative statements made by Albanese regarding Israel, which she refuted.
In July of the prior year, the United States imposed sanctions on Albanese, attributing them to her alleged attempts to instigate the International Criminal Court to take action against American and Israeli officials, companies, and executives. United Nations experts, appointed by the Human Rights Council in Geneva to monitor and document specific human rights crises, operate independently from the organization itself.
The 2023 attacks led by Hamas resulted in the death of 1,200 individuals in Israel, with an additional 251 being held hostage, according to Israeli reports. Conversely, Gaza health authorities reported more than 73,000 Palestinian fatalities during Israel’s military campaign. Israel maintains that it has made significant efforts to minimize civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of using Gaza civilians as shields in densely populated areas, a claim refuted by Hamas.
Hamas acknowledged Albanese’s warning and urged the removal of rubble in a manner that ensures the recovery of missing persons’ remains and preserves evidence. Palestinian authorities estimate that over 8,000 individuals are still buried in the debris, with a recent search in Gaza City uncovering the remains of 112 individuals from a single family.
