UN Envoy Warns Israeli Debris Removal Risks Destroying Gaza Evidence

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, warned on Monday that Israeli debris removal operations in Gaza could destroy evidence of "atrocity crimes." She stated that evidence must be collected and human remains identified before a full cleanup begins. The UN estimates the war has generated approximately 61 million tons of debris, with evacuation potentially taking seven years.

"In a devastated Gaza, rubble is not just construction waste," Albanese declared. "It is part of a crime scene, a cemetery, and the material traces of what happened." She claimed that several sources confirmed the involvement of Israeli companies in the operations, without identifying them or specifying the origin of the information.

Albanese also believes Palestinians should be involved in planning any cleanup projects. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister's office, and the IDF had not immediately responded to Reuters' requests for comment. Israeli authorities have consistently rejected Albanese's accusations, as she is a prominent international critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza.

In July 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Albanese, citing her efforts to encourage the International Criminal Court to act against American and Israeli officials and companies.