A United Nations expert warned on Monday that the removal of debris in Gaza by Israel could result in the destruction of crucial evidence related to “atrocity crimes” and hinder the identification of human remains. The conflict in Gaza, which began following a deadly incursion by Hamas into Israel in October 2023, has resulted in approximately 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, highlighted the potential risks of Israeli rubble clearance in a recent statement titled “UN expert warns Israeli rubble-clearing could erase traces of atrocity crimes.” Albanese emphasized the importance of involving Palestinians in any debris removal plans and stressed the need to document evidence and identify human remains before the complete clearance operation.
Describing the rubble in Gaza as more than mere construction waste, Albanese stated, “It is a crime scene, a burial ground, and a tangible record of the brutal and senseless bombing campaign that lasted two years.” The UN expert revealed that multiple sources confirmed the involvement of Israeli companies in the clearance activities but refrained from disclosing specific sources. At the time of reporting, there was no immediate response from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, prime minister’s office, or military to requests for comments.
Previously, Albanese faced criticism from Germany, France, and Italy in February for what they deemed as overly negative remarks about Israel. However, she refuted the allegations made by these nations. Last year, the United States imposed sanctions on Albanese, accusing her of instigating actions against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives at the International Criminal Court.
The conflict in 2023, led by Hamas, resulted in the death of 1,200 individuals in Israel and the capture of 251 hostages. In contrast, over 73,000 Palestinians lost their lives during Israel’s military operations, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel has consistently maintained that it took significant precautions to minimize civilian casualties, alleging that Hamas exploited Gaza’s civilian population as shields in densely populated areas, a claim refuted by Hamas.
Hamas expressed gratitude for Albanese’s cautionary message and urged the removal of rubble in a manner that guarantees the retrieval of missing persons’ remains and the preservation of evidence. Palestinian authorities estimated that more than 8,000 individuals are still buried in the debris, with a recent recovery effort in Gaza City uncovering the remains of 112 individuals from a single family clan.