Israel Seeks to Render Gaza City Unliveable, Warns UN Expert Francesca Albanese

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has accused Israel of deliberately seeking to make Gaza City uninhabitable through a combination of military operations, blockades, and infrastructural devastation. Her remarks come amid escalating international concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.

Albanese, addressing reporters after releasing her latest findings, said that the systematic destruction of housing, health facilities, and critical civilian infrastructure indicates a strategy aimed at forcing large parts of Gaza's population to abandon the city. She argued that such actions contravene international humanitarian law and could amount to collective punishment.

"What we are witnessing is not collateral damage but an intentional policy designed to erode the viability of Gaza City as a place where people can live, work, and sustain their families," Albanese stated. "This pattern of destruction is consistent with efforts to break the social fabric of Gaza and to make daily life unbearable for civilians."

Her assessment follows months of intensified Israeli airstrikes and ground incursions, which local officials say have displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. Electricity shortages, limited access to clean water, and the collapse of waste management systems have further worsened conditions, leaving international aid agencies warning of a looming public health catastrophe.

Israel has defended its operations as necessary to neutralize Hamas and other militant groups that launch rockets and attacks from densely populated urban areas. Officials argue that Hamas embeds its military infrastructure within civilian neighborhoods, making strikes on Gaza City unavoidable. However, critics, including the UN rapporteur, emphasize that international law prohibits targeting civilians and destroying essential infrastructure regardless of military justification.

Global reactions to Albanese’s warning have been divided. Some Western governments reiterated support for Israel’s right to self-defense, while humanitarian organizations and a growing number of diplomats called for an immediate halt to actions that exacerbate civilian suffering. The European Union and several Arab states have urged Israel to ensure protection of non-combatants and to allow the flow of aid into Gaza without restrictions.

Albanese has consistently pressed the international community to hold Israel accountable for what she describes as systemic violations of international law. She renewed her call for an independent investigation into potential war crimes and for renewed diplomatic efforts to address the underlying causes of the conflict.

The humanitarian toll of the crisis is stark. According to local health authorities, thousands have been killed and many more injured since the escalation began, with children making up a significant proportion of the victims. The destruction of schools and hospitals has left residents without basic services, while relief agencies say aid convoys are struggling to meet even the most urgent needs.

As the crisis deepens, Albanese warned that continued inaction risks normalizing conditions in which Gaza City becomes effectively unliveable. "The international community cannot look away while an entire population is pushed towards despair," she said. "Urgent action is required to prevent further deterioration and to protect the basic rights and dignity of Palestinians in Gaza."