Gaza rubble removal may erase evidence, UN expert says

A United Nations expert warned Monday that large-scale rubble removal in parts of Gaza under Israeli control could erase evidence of alleged atrocity crimes and hinder the recovery and identification of human remains.

Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, said in a statement that the implications of Israel's “ongoing removal, crushing and relocation of rubble in Gaza” were profound.

Albanese said Gaza's rubble contained human remains and physical evidence relevant to investigations of alleged international crimes, including genocide. She cited estimates from Palestinian authorities that more than 10,000 people remain buried under debris in the Palestinian territory.

Albanese, an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council who does not speak on behalf of the United Nations, said she had received credible information from multiple sources in August about “deliberate and widespread removal, crushing and transport of rubble”.

She called for recovery and identification of human remains, documentation of sites and materials, preservation of potential evidence and an unbroken chain of custody under independent oversight before rubble is displaced or crushed.

Albanese also called for international criminal investigators to oversee evidence gathering. She warned countries and companies involved in rubble removal that they could face international criminal responsibility if they destroyed evidence of international crimes.

Israel did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Albanese's statement.

Israel's full-scale war on Gaza began after Hamas's attack inside Israel on October 7, 2023. Gaza's health ministry, which is under Hamas authority, says Israeli bombardment and ground operations have killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, including more than 1,330 since a ceasefire agreed in October 2025. Hamas's October 7 attack killed 1,221 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.