UN Warns Israel’s Gaza Rubble Clearance May Destroy War Crimes Evidence

The United Nations has cautioned that the clearance of debris in Gaza could eliminate critical proof of alleged war crimes, potentially exposing states and firms involved to international criminal liability. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied territories, issued the warning on Monday, asserting that such actions might obstruct accountability for what she described as a genocidal conflict.

Albanese emphasized that the International Court of Justice had directed Israel two years ago to implement effective measures to safeguard evidence related to allegations under the Genocide Convention. She criticized the current reconstruction efforts, stating that tying the rebuilding of Gaza to the eradication of its history and the evidence needed to achieve justice for victims is unacceptable.

In August, the Israeli military executed a large-scale operation to crush, mix, and transport millions of tonnes of rubble from various locations, including cemeteries and sites known to contain human remains. A report released last month by the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor suggested that the debris removal may constitute an attempt at demographic engineering and the erasure of evidence regarding the genocide.

Palestinian authorities estimate that over 8,000 individuals remain trapped beneath the debris, with many residents continuing to search for the remains of family members. Israel maintains a blockade on the heavy machinery and forensic supplies required for body recovery operations.

On Sunday, Palestinians in northern Gaza conducted funeral services for approximately 100 people, including 60 children, whose remains were retrieved from the rubble of destroyed structures in Gaza City. Raed al-Dahshan, head of Gaza’s civil defence service, told Al Jazeera that with adequate equipment, the recovery of remains could be finished in about 90 days, but the process could extend over several years without such resources.