A United Nations expert has informed the Human Rights Council that she considers Israel’s military actions in Gaza since October 7 to be genocidal and has urged countries to swiftly implement sanctions and a ban on arms.
Reuters reported that Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Territories, addressed the UN rights body in Geneva with a report titled “The Anatomy of a Genocide”, stating that it is her responsibility to share the worst examples of human behavior. She claimed that there is evidence to suggest that a genocide may have been committed against Palestinians in Gaza, with over 30,000 deaths reported. She called on member states to fulfill their duties by imposing sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel to prevent further atrocities. This statement was met with applause.
Earlier, during a Pentagon meeting with Israel Defence Minister Gallant, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the need to protect Palestinian civilians, describing the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian disaster” and stressing its moral and strategic importance.
