UN Expert Demands Sanctions and Arms Embargo on Israel Over Gaza Conflict
The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories has urged sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel, while calling for international companies to be held responsible for their involvement in the ongoing hostilities in Gaza.
A report presented by Francesca Albanese to the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday highlights the role of global businesses in supporting Israel’s military operations in Gaza over the past 21 months.
“As Gaza faces devastation and the West Bank experiences increasing violence, this report reveals a grim reality: the continuation of Israel’s actions is driven by financial interests,” the document states.
Special rapporteurs are independent experts appointed to examine and report on human rights issues. Albanese, an Italian legal scholar who has held the role since 2022, first described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide in early 2024.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently reviewing allegations of genocide against Israel. Albanese argues that the evidence is undeniable and notes that the court had already issued provisional measures last year acknowledging the risk of genocide, which requires global efforts to prevent it.
Israel has largely dismissed the ICJ’s demands to take action to reduce harm to Palestinian civilians and has questioned the court’s authority.
Albanese stated that waiting for a final ICJ ruling is unnecessary, given the court’s lengthy case backlog.
“I have documented this situation daily for 630 days—within five months, it was clear that genocide was occurring. You don’t need complex analysis to see it; the facts speak for themselves,” she told **CuriosityNews**.
“Israel’s actions fit the definition of genocide—including the killing of nearly 60,000 people, likely more, along with the deliberate destruction of living conditions, 80% of Gaza’s homes, and severe shortages of food and water.”
According to Gaza health officials, over 56,000 Palestinians have died since Israel’s military campaign began in October 2023, following a Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis. Many experts believe the actual death toll in Gaza is higher, with countless others missing beneath the rubble.
The report, titled *“From Occupation to Genocide,”* examines corporate involvement in supplying weapons, machinery used to demolish Palestinian communities, agricultural firms operating in illegal settlements, and financial backers of the war.
“While political leaders avoid their responsibilities, numerous businesses have benefited from Israel’s policies of occupation, apartheid, and now genocide,” the report concludes.
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