UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine released a report Monday, accusing Israel of waging a systematic campaign of forced displacement, destruction and acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

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

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

“The violence that Israel unleashed against Palestinians after October 7 does not occur in a vacuum, but is part of a long-term, systematic, state-organized forced displacement and displacement of Palestinians,” the report said .

The report also accused Israel of obstructing international investigative efforts by blocking the entry of fact-finding teams from the UN and the International Criminal Court.

“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 by which Israel allows international investigators to enter Gaza and take measures to ensures the preservation of evidence,” he said.

The report noted that “the ongoing genocide is undoubtedly the consequence of the exceptional status and prolonged impunity accorded Israel.”

“Israel has systematically and flagrantly violated international law, including UN Security Council resolutions and ICJ orders,” the statement said. “This has encouraged Israel’s arrogance and its defiance of international law.”

“As the world watches the first colonial genocide of settlers broadcast live, only justice can heal the wounds that political expediency has allowed to fester,” she added.

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

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

— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) October 28, 2024

“Murder” in Gaza

The report highlighted the severe destruction in 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 approximately 40 million tons of debris, including unexploded ordnance and human remains, contaminating the environment.

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

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

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

Risk of genocide in the occupied West Bank

The report warns that violence and systematic attacks are now spreading beyond Gaza, raising “serious concerns of 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 pointed out that this escalation has been driven by violent settlers, frequently backed by Israeli forces, describing these patterns as mirroring the severe destruction seen in Gaza.

She highlighted the disturbing cases of Palestinian children being specifically targeted, 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 warns, noting that some officials, such as Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have openly supported the harsh treatment and mass arrests of Palestinians . with 9,400 currently held in severe conditions.

Urgent intervention is needed

Albanese called on the international community to act decisively, saying “member states must step in now to prevent new atrocities that will further mar human history.”

She called on states to use all available political influence, including a full arms embargo and sanctions, to compel Israel to stop its attack on Palestinians, accept a ceasefire and withdraw completely from the occupied Palestinian territories, in line with with the advisory opinion issued by the ICJ. on July 19.

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

The rapporteur also called on States to ensure unrestricted humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and ensure full funding and protection for UNRWA.

Finally, she pressured the ICC prosecutor to continue an investigation into the alleged crimes of genocide and apartheid committed by Israel.

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

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

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

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