UN expert warns Gaza rubble clearance could destroy evidence of alleged atrocity crimes

Gaza’s rubble is not simply waste, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese said. She warned that clearing it could erase evidence of alleged atrocity crimes and prevent the recovery and identification of human remains.

The war generated about 61 million tons of wreckage and debris, according to the United Nations, and removing it could take seven years. Albanese said investigators should gather evidence and identify remains before full-scale clearance begins.

Her statement was headlined, “UN expert warns Israeli rubble-clearing could erase traces of atrocity crimes.” She said Palestinians should be placed at the center of any plans to remove the debris. “In devastated Gaza, rubble is not just construction waste,” Albanese said. “It is part of a crime scene, a graveyard, and the material record of what happened during a brutal and senseless bombing campaign that lasted two years.”

Albanese said multiple sources had confirmed that Israeli companies were involved in the clearance, but she did not name them. Her office did not immediately answer questions about the source of that information. Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Israel Defense Forces also did not immediately respond.

The article noted Albanese’s history of criticism from Israel and other governments. Germany, France and Italy condemned comments they described as excessively negative toward Israel in February, although Albanese denied making the remarks. The United States sanctioned her in July 2025 over what it said were efforts to prompt the International Criminal Court to act against US and Israeli officials, companies and executives.

The report also cited the death tolls from the conflict. Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks killed 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in 251 hostages, while more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military campaign, according to Hamas-run Gazan health authorities. Israel says it has taken extensive measures to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields.

“

In devastated Gaza, rubble is not just construction waste. It is part of a crime scene, a graveyard, and the material record of what happened during a brutal and senseless bombing campaign that lasted two years.