UN Rapporteur Warns Gaza Rubble Removal Could Destroy Evidence of Alleged Crimes

UN Rapporteur Warns Gaza Rubble Removal Could Destroy Evidence of Alleged Crimes
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In a statement issued on Monday, Albanese said that the recovery and identification of human remains, along with systematic documentation and preservation of possible evidence, should take place before large-scale debris clearance begins. She called for rubble management plans to be developed under Palestinian leadership and with the involvement of trusted parties.

Albanese described Gaza’s rubble as more than the remains of destroyed buildings, saying it represents a record of events during the conflict and contains both human remains and physical material that could be relevant to future investigations. She also said she had received information from several sources regarding the possible involvement of Israeli companies in rubble removal operations.

The United Nations estimates that the destruction in Gaza has generated around 61 million tons of debris, creating one of the largest rubble-clearance challenges in recent history. UN agencies have said that removing and processing the debris could take years, with some assessments estimating that most of the work could require about seven years under suitable conditions.

Palestinian authorities have reported that thousands of people remain missing beneath the rubble. Albanese cited estimates indicating that more than 10,000 people may still be buried under debris, while Palestinian recovery teams have continued searching destroyed areas for remains.

There was no immediate public response from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the Prime Minister’s Office, or the Israeli military regarding Albanese’s latest statement. Israeli authorities have previously rejected her accusations and defended their military operations, saying they take measures to reduce civilian harm and accusing Hamas of operating from civilian areas, a claim Hamas denies.

Hamas welcomed Albanese’s warning and called for rubble removal efforts to prioritize the recovery of missing persons and the preservation of evidence.

The issue comes as international organizations continue to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction process, including how to balance urgent debris removal with forensic documentation, environmental safety, and the preservation of information needed for possible future legal investigations.