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United Nations Special Rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese has called for European Union officials to face war crimes charges over their continued relations with Israel during the 19-month conflict in Gaza.
Speaking to Brussels-based EUobserver, Albanese criticized the EU's maintenance of normal relations with Israel despite ongoing military operations in Gaza, stating that EU officials should face charges of complicity in war crimes.
Albanese characterized the situation in Gaza as genocide, citing what she described as systematic destruction of the territory and deliberate starvation of its population. She pointed to statements by Israeli officials as evidence of genocidal intent.
"This is genocide. I know people are uncomfortable with this word, but what else can we call it? In just the last two months, 400 people were killed every week. Children are killed after politicians explain why they should be killed. This is total destruction. If this is not genocide, then what is it?" Albanese stated.
The U.N. rapporteur rejected framing Israel's actions as legitimate self-defense, referencing a previous International Court of Justice ruling.
"The International Court of Justice decided that Israel had no right to wage war in territories it illegally occupied before Oct. 7, 2023. So no, this is not legitimate self-defense," she said.
“Journalists are killed because they are truth-tellers,” Albanese added.
"The media should give Palestinians a voice before they’re dead—before they become ‘comfortable victims.’ Media nowadays are often ready to portray Palestinians once they’ve been killed, but not while they’re still alive and speaking with their own voices," she said.
Albanese specifically criticized EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas for maintaining standard relations with Israel.
"I call for these top EU officials, and others, to face charges of complicity in war crimes over their support for Israel’s 19-month assault on Gaza. This cannot be met with impunity," she said.
"EU officials should face charges of complicity in war crimes. I demand that these high-level EU officials and others face charges of complicity in war crimes for supporting Israel's 19-month attack on Gaza. This cannot go unpunished," Albanese declared, adding, "I have no confidence in the member states at the moment."
The rapporteur called for accountability measures against world leaders whom she accused of enabling what she termed genocide and ethnic cleansing in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
According to local sources, Israeli military operations during the second day of Eid al-Adha resulted in at least 17 Palestinian deaths in Gaza. Reports indicate 12 people were killed when Israeli forces targeted tents housing displaced civilians in Khan Yunis, with over 40 wounded.
Among the casualties was reportedly a family of four, including parents and two children. In western Rafah, Israeli soldiers opened fire on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid, killing at least five Palestinians and wounding numerous others.
Since May 27, the number of Palestinians killed while seeking food aid has risen to 115, with over 580 wounded and nine reported missing.
Israeli military operations resumed with intensity on March 18, following a ceasefire that had been in effect since Jan. 19.
Since the resumption of attacks, 4,402 Palestinians have been killed and 13,489 wounded, according to local health authorities.
Overall casualty figures since Oct. 7, 2023, indicate 54,677 Palestinian deaths and 125,530 wounded, according to Gaza health officials.
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Reports suggest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans for the complete occupation of Gaza, with proposals to relocate Palestinians to what are described as "collection camps" in southern Gaza, where they would receive minimal humanitarian aid for survival.
Israeli ministers have reportedly stated intentions to destroy remaining infrastructure in Gaza and relocate Palestinians first to the south, then to other countries.
The U.N. rapporteur emphasized demands for Israel to withdraw forces from Palestinian territories, end exploitation of Palestinian resources, terminate control over airspace and land and sea access, and provide compensation following what she characterized as 57 years of illegal occupation.
3 min read
