{
  "id": 6167158,
  "title": "Israeli clearance of Gaza rubble could destroy ‘evidence’: Expert",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/israeli-clearance-of-gaza-rubble-could-destroy-evidence-expert",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T19:35:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/israeli-clearance-of-gaza-rubble-could-destroy-evidence-expert/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A United Nations expert has expressed concern that the Israeli clearance of rubble in Gaza could potentially destroy crucial evidence of \"atrocity crimes\" and hinder the recovery of human remains. Francesca Albanese, the UN expert on the Palestinian territories, emphasized that Palestinians should be involved in any plans to remove waste. She stated that the debris in devastated Gaza is not just construction waste but also part of a crime scene, a graveyard, and a record of the brutal bombing campaign that lasted for two years. Albanese urged for evidence collection and human remains identification before proceeding with the clearance. She highlighted that multiple sources have confirmed Israeli companies' involvement in the clearance process, though she did not disclose the sources. Israel's Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister's Office, and military declined to comment. Albanese has been a vocal critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza, often facing criticism and sanctions from various countries. The conflict between Israel and Hamas led to the deaths of around 1,200 people in Israel and 251 taken hostage. Over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military campaign, according to Gaza health authorities. Palestinian authorities estimate that more than 8,000 people remain buried in the wreckage. Hamas appreciated Albanese's warning, urging that the rubble be removed in a manner that ensures the recovery of missing persons' remains and the preservation of evidence.",
  "summary": "The war has generated around 61 million tons of wreckage and debris that could take years to clear.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Israeli strikes kill seven Palestinians in Gaza in past 24 hours",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/israeli-strikes-kill-seven-palestinians-in-gaza-in-past-24-hours",
        "published": "2026-09-07T09:56:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "UN rapporteur says Israeli rubble-clearing in Gaza could erase 'atrocity crimes' evidence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/un-rapporteur-says-israeli-rubble-clearing-in-gaza-could-erase",
        "published": "2026-09-07T12:51:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Israeli rubble-clearing in Gaza could erase 'atrocity crimes' evidence: UN expert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/israeli-rubble-clearing-in-gaza-could-erase-atrocity-crimes-evidence",
        "published": "2026-09-07T13:30:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Kushner attributes the lack of progress on Gaza to upcoming Israeli elections",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/kushner-attributes-the-lack-of-progress-on-gaza-to-upcoming-israeli",
        "published": "2026-09-07T18:03:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "Israeli clearance of Gaza rubble could destroy evidence of 'atrocity crimes,' says UN expert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/israeli-clearance-of-gaza-rubble-could-destroy-evidence-of-atrocity",
        "published": "2026-09-07T18:36:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Israeli clearance of Gaza rubble could destroy 'evidence,' says UN's Francesca Albanese",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/israeli-clearance-of-gaza-rubble-could-destroy-evidence-says-uns",
        "published": "2026-09-07T19:28:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Mass funeral held in Gaza for dozens of bodies, including kids, found under the rubble",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/mass-funeral-held-in-gaza-for-dozens-of-bodies-including-kids-found",
        "published": "2026-09-07T20:38:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Israel’s removal of Gaza rubble risk to war crimes evidence: UN",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/israels-removal-of-gaza-rubble-risk-to-war-crimes-evidence-un",
        "published": "2026-09-07T21:00:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}