Geneva: Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, has sharply criticized Israel for its intensified military operations in Gaza City, warning that the actions are pushing the densely populated urban area towards uninhabitable conditions. Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, Albanese described Israel’s strategy as part of a broader campaign that she characterized as “ethnic cleansing,” aimed at displacing Palestinians from their homes.
Albanese detailed that Israeli forces are employing unconventional weapons and orchestrating large-scale evacuations of civilians in Gaza City, the largest urban center in the Gaza Strip. “Israel is bombing using unconventional weapons... it is trying to forcibly evacuate Palestinians. Why? This is the last piece of Gaza that needs to be rendered unliveable before advancing the ethnic cleansing of that piece of land,” she said. The UN expert’s remarks have intensified global scrutiny of Israel’s actions in the region, highlighting the humanitarian risks posed to the remaining population.
The Israeli Permanent Mission to the United Nations, however, dismissed Albanese’s statements, accusing her of delegitimizing Israel and failing to acknowledge Hamas’s role in endangering civilians. The Mission claimed that Hamas routinely embeds military infrastructure within residential areas, using civilians as human shields, and that Israeli operations are targeted efforts to neutralize these threats rather than deliberate attacks on civilians.
The current conflict traces back to October 2023, following a Hamas assault that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages. Since then, Gaza has endured heavy bombardment, leading to a mounting death toll and mass displacement. Gaza’s health authorities report that over 62,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, with the majority of the population uprooted from their homes as airstrikes and ground operations continue.
Albanese’s vocal criticism has drawn significant international attention. U.S. sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have reportedly complicated her efforts to present findings at the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly, illustrating the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the issue.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also weighed in, describing Israel’s plans to take control of Gaza City as a “dangerous escalation” that could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. He warned that the operations risk widespread destruction and forced displacement, contravening international humanitarian law.
The situation in Gaza has left the international community divided. While some nations support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, others are calling for independent investigations into potential war crimes and urgent measures to protect civilians. Discussions continue regarding the governance of Gaza and plans for eventual reconstruction, though immediate humanitarian relief remains a pressing concern.
As military operations intensify, Albanese and other human rights observers continue to stress the importance of protecting civilians, ensuring accountability, and finding diplomatic pathways to prevent further catastrophe in one of the world’s most densely populated conflict zones.