A United Nations (UN) expert raised concerns on Monday that the Israeli clearance of debris in Gaza could potentially erase crucial evidence of “atrocity crimes” and hinder the recovery of human remains. The conflict between Israel and Gaza, triggered by a deadly incursion by Hamas in October 2023, has left approximately 61 million tons of rubble and wreckage, a massive task expected to take up to seven years to clear, as reported by the UN.
Francesca Albanese, the UN expert on the Palestinian territories, issued a statement emphasizing the significance of Palestinians being involved in any plans for waste removal to ensure proper handling. She highlighted the importance of preserving evidence and identifying human remains before the full-scale clearance operations commence, stating that the debris in Gaza serves as more than just construction waste but represents a crime scene and a somber reminder of the devastation caused by the prolonged bombing campaign.
Albanese expressed concerns over reports indicating Israeli companies’ involvement in the debris clearance without specifying the sources of this information. Israeli authorities, including the Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister’s office, and military, have yet to respond to requests for comments on these claims. The expert has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, previously facing criticism from Germany, France, and Italy for what they deemed as overly negative remarks about Israel, which she denied making.
Last year, the United States imposed sanctions on Albanese, accusing her of attempting to push the International Criminal Court to take action against American and Israeli officials, companies, and executives. It is important to note that UN experts, although commissioned by the Human Rights Council, operate independently of the organization and are tasked with monitoring and documenting specific human rights crises.
The conflict in 2023 resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages in Israel, according to Israeli figures, while over 73,000 Palestinians lost their lives in the military campaign, as reported by Gaza health authorities. Israel has repeatedly emphasized its efforts to minimize civilian casualties, attributing the high death toll among Palestinians to Hamas’s alleged use of civilians as human shields, a claim refuted by Hamas.
Hamas welcomed Albanese’s cautionary message, urging the removal of debris in a manner that ensures the recovery of missing persons’ remains and the preservation of evidence. Palestinian authorities estimate that over 8,000 individuals are still buried under the rubble, with a recent recovery mission in Gaza City uncovering the remains of 112 individuals from the same family clan.
