LONDON: A UN expert, Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, has raised alarming concerns, warning that Israel’s recent attack on Gaza might lead to “mass ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians, a situation she fears could be remembered as another “Nakba,” the Arabic term for “catastrophe.”
This warning comes as Israel has instructed 1.1 million Palestinians to evacuate the northern Gaza Strip in anticipation of a planned ground invasion by the Israel Defense Forces.
Albanese pointed out the grave danger that the forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza could parallel the events of the 1948 Nakba, which led to the mass expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians from their homes, as well as the 1967 Naksa, but on a larger scale. The term “Nakba” has historical significance, representing the first mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in 1948.
Expressing deep concern, Albanese emphasized the urgency for the international community to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy. She condemned Israel’s actions, stating, “Israel has already carried out mass ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Again, in the name of self-defense, Israel is seeking to justify what would amount to ethnic cleansing.”
UN Expert Stresses Urgent International Action Against Israel
Albanese continued, emphasizing the need for swift international action, “Continued military operations by Israel have gone well beyond the limits of international law. The international community must stop these egregious violations of international law now, before tragic history is repeated.”
She stressed the essential responsibility of the international community to protect populations from atrocity crimes and demanded immediate accountability for international crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces.
Israeli airstrikes had resulted in the martyrdom of at least 2,000 Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Israeli authorities have imposed severe restrictions, cutting off essential supplies, including water, electricity, food, and fuel, declaring a “complete siege” of the enclave.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ominously warned of the incoming “next stage” of Israel’s operation in Gaza, raising further concerns about the escalating situation in the region.
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Juliette Touma, director of communications at the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, highlighted the dire humanitarian consequences, revealing that Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have already forced over a million people to flee their homes.
