A United Nations expert cautioned on Monday that the removal of rubble in Gaza by Israeli forces could eliminate crucial evidence of “atrocity crimes” and hinder the identification of human remains.
The conflict in Gaza, initiated following a fatal incursion by Hamas into Israel in October 2023, has resulted in approximately 61 million tons of debris that may require up to seven years to clear, as per the United Nations assessment.
Francesca Albanese, the UN specialist on Palestinian territories, issued a warning titled “UN expert warns Israeli rubble-clearing could erase traces of atrocity crimes,” emphasizing the importance of Palestinian involvement in any waste removal plans.
Albanese’s office received reports in August regarding Israel’s systematic removal, crushing, and transportation of rubble. She stressed the need to collect evidence and identify human remains before extensive clearance operations commence.
Describing the rubble in devastated Gaza as more than mere construction debris, Albanese stated that it serves as a crime scene, a burial ground, and a tangible record of the brutal bombing campaign spanning two years.
Multiple sources have alleged the involvement of Israeli firms in the clearance efforts, although these sources were not disclosed. Requests for clarification from Reuters to Albanese’s office remained unanswered.
Neither Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the Prime Minister’s office, nor the military responded immediately to requests for comment. Historically, they have strongly opposed Albanese’s criticisms of Israel’s military activities in Gaza.
Last year, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Albanese alleging her attempts to push the International Criminal Court to take action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives.
UN experts, appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to monitor and document specific human rights crises, operate independently of the organization.
The 2023 attacks led by Hamas claimed the lives of 1,200 in Israel and saw 251 individuals taken captive, according to Israeli reports. Gaza health authorities report over 73,000 Palestinian casualties due to Israel’s military operations.
Israel maintains that it has made considerable efforts to minimize civilian harm, accusing Hamas of using Gaza’s population as shields in densely populated zones — a claim denied by Hamas.
Hamas expressed gratitude for Albanese’s alert and urged the proper removal of rubble to facilitate the recovery of missing persons’ remains and preserve evidence.
Palestinian authorities estimate that over 8,000 individuals are still buried in the rubble, with a recent recovery effort in Gaza City uncovering the remains of 112 individuals from the same family.