Israeli clearance of Gaza rubble could destroy 'evidence', says UN expert

Israeli clearance of Gaza rubble could destroy critical evidence, warns a United Nations expert. Francesca Albanese, the UN expert on the Palestinian territories, expressed concern on Monday that the removal of debris in Gaza could erase vital information related to atrocities committed during the prolonged bombing campaign. Albanese emphasized that evidence and remains of victims should be collected and identified before any clearance operations commence.

In a statement, she highlighted that Palestinians must be involved in any waste removal plans. She stressed that Gaza's rubble is not merely construction waste, but also serves as a crime scene, a graveyard, and a tangible record of the atrocities that transpired during the two-year military offensive. Albanese noted that Israeli companies have reportedly been engaged in the clearance efforts, though she did not disclose the sources of this information.