UN warns Gaza rubble removal could destroy war-crimes evidence

The United Nations has warned that large-scale removal of rubble in Gaza could destroy evidence linked to alleged war crimes and genocide-related crimes. The warning comes as Palestinians continue searching for the remains of relatives under destroyed buildings and other debris. The issue centres on whether clearance work can proceed without erasing material that investigators may need.

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Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied territories, said states and companies involved in removing rubble could face international criminal responsibility if evidence is destroyed. She said it was unacceptable for Gaza's reconstruction to be tied to the erasure of its past and of evidence needed for justice. Her comments follow an International Court of Justice order in 2024 requiring Israel to take effective measures to prevent the destruction of evidence related to allegations under the Genocide Convention.

According to the report, the Israeli military carried out a major operation in August to crush, mix and transport millions of tonnes of rubble from multiple sites. Those sites included cemeteries and other known locations of human remains. Palestinian authorities estimate that more than 8,000 people remain buried under the debris, while heavy machinery and forensic supplies needed to recover bodies are still being blocked.

The warning adds a legal dimension to the wider humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the scale of destruction has made recovery and identification of the dead extremely difficult. The clearance of rubble is not only a reconstruction issue but also a question of evidence preservation, accountability and the rights of families seeking answers. A report cited in the article also said debris removal could amount to demographic engineering, underlining the political sensitivity of the work.

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The situation is unfolding against the backdrop of continuing disputes over access, reconstruction and responsibility after the war. On Sunday, Palestinians in northern Gaza held funeral ceremonies for about 100 people whose remains were recovered from the rubble in Gaza City, including 60 children. Gaza's civil defence service said that with proper equipment, recovering remains could take about 90 days, but without it the process could last for years.

What remains unclear is how much of the rubble can be cleared without compromising possible evidence, and whether the necessary forensic equipment will be allowed into Gaza. It is also unclear how international legal warnings will affect the pace of clearance work already under way. The next developments are likely to focus on access for recovery teams, the handling of debris from sensitive sites and any further response from international legal bodies.

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