A United Nations expert has expressed concern that Israeli clearance of rubble in Gaza could lead to the destruction of crucial evidence related to potential “atrocity crimes.” The warning comes as Israel continues operations in Gaza following the Hamas raid into Israel in October 2023. The United Nations estimates the conflict has generated approximately 61 million tons of wreckage and debris, a cleanup process potentially lasting seven years. Francesca Albanese, the UN expert focusing on the Palestinian territories, stresses the importance of gathering evidence and identifying human remains prior to commencing full clearance operations. Failure to do so could hinder investigations into alleged wrongdoing and impede the recovery of those missing. This raises serious questions about accountability and the preservation of historical records related to the conflict in Gaza.