The UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine published a report on Monday accused Israel of carrying out a systematic campaign of forced displacement, destruction and genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

In his report to the UN General Assembly, Francesca Albanese described the “long-term, deliberate, state-led displacement and replacement” of Palestinians, especially after the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023.

The report emphasized “genocidal intent” as part of Israel’s decades-long strategy of territorial expansion and ethnic cleansing aimed at eradicating the Palestinian presence from its homeland.

“The violence that Israel has unleashed against the Palestinians after October 7 is not occurring in a vacuum, but is part of a long-term, intentional, systematic and state-organized forced displacement and replacement of Palestinians,” it says. the report.

The report also accused Israel of hampering international investigation efforts by blocking the entry of investigative teams from the UN and the International Criminal Court.

“The persistent denial of access to United Nations mechanisms and International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators may constitute obstruction of justice, in defiance of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order that Israel allow international investigators to enter Gaza and take measures to ensure the preservation of evidence,” he said.

The report notes that the current “genocide is undoubtedly the consequence of the exceptional status and prolonged impunity that has been granted to Israel.”

“Israel has systematically and flagrantly violated international law, including (UN) Security Council resolutions and ICJ orders,” he said. “This has emboldened Israel’s arrogance and its defiance of international law.”

“As the world watches the first live-streamed settler colonial genocide, only justice can heal the wounds that political expediency has allowed to fester,” he added.

My new report is now available in all official UN languages: https://t.co/rOTHGuyAYl

Genocide is a complex and insidious crime; Demonstrating destructive intent is an onerous task, but not when it is so ostentatious, supported by a political doctrine of ideological hatred and… pic.twitter.com/rdUna6za7y

— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for Occupied Territories (@FranceskAlbs) October 28, 2024

‘Domicide’ in Gaza

The report highlighted the severe destruction across Gaza, drawing attention to “domicide” (the deliberate and systematic destruction of homes and infrastructure to make an area uninhabitable) and “ecocide” (the deliberate destruction of the natural environment).

It was estimated that there were around 40 million tonnes of debris, including unexploded ordnance and human remains, contaminating the environment.

More than 140 temporary landfills and 340,000 tonnes of untreated sewage now pose health risks and contribute to outbreaks of hepatitis A, respiratory infections, diarrhea and skin diseases.

“As Israeli leaders promised, Gaza has become unfit for human life,” the report says, drawing attention to restrictions imposed by Israel on the import of essential resources such as food, water and medical supplies.

“The systematic attacks on Gaza’s food sovereignty indicate an intention to destroy its population through starvation,” he said, recalling statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in August, when he stated that starving the entire population of Gaza was “justified and moral.

Risk of genocide in the occupied West Bank

The report warned that systematic violence and attacks were now spreading beyond Gaza, raising “serious concerns about the risk of genocide” in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Since October 2023, Israeli forces are said to have carried out more than 5,500 raids in the West Bank, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries, as well as the detention of at least 11,200 people.

Albanese highlighted that this escalation was driven by violent settlers, often backed by Israeli forces, and described these patterns as a reflection of the severe destruction seen in Gaza.

It noted disturbing cases of Palestinian children being specifically targeted, with at least 169 children killed since October 2023, nearly 80 percent of whom were fatally shot in the head or torso.

“The devastation inflicted on Gaza is now metastasizing to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” the report warned, noting that certain officials, such as Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, had openly endorsed harsh treatment and arrests. masses of Palestinians. There are currently 9,400 detainees in serious conditions.

Urgent intervention is needed

Albanese urged the international community to act decisively, saying that “member states must intervene now to prevent new atrocities that will further mark the history of humanity.”

Called on States to use all available political leverage, including a full arms embargo and sanctions, to force Israel to stop its attack on the Palestinians, accept a ceasefire and completely withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories, in line with an ICJ advisory opinion issued on July 19.

He also called on states to formally label Israel an “apartheid state and persistent violator of international law,” while advocating for robust, independent investigations.

The rapporteur further urged states to ensure that unrestricted humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and to ensure full funding and protection for UNRWA.

Finally, he pressured the ICC Prosecutor to conduct an investigation into alleged genocide and apartheid crimes committed by Israel.

Despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, the Israeli military has continued a destructive offensive in Gaza since the Hamas cross-border attack in October last year.

Local health authorities report more than 43,000 deaths, mostly women and children, and more than 101,100 injuries in the territory since the attacks began. The true death toll could be much higher because thousands of bodies are believed to be trapped under the rubble.

The Israeli campaign has displaced almost the entire population of Gaza under continuous siege.

Israel faces a genocide case before the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza.