INTERVIEW – Three years into Gaza war, ‘genocide is not over,’ UN rapporteur Albanese says

Francesca Albanese says destruction continues despite ceasefire, describing situation in Gaza as ‘beyond what words can say’ UN expert welcomes moves to restrict settlement trade but questions their scope, criticizes Europe’s dependence on US US sanctions have left her unable to use credit cards or receive payments, compromising work and family life, she tells Anadolu Three years after Israel launched its war in Gaza, UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese says Palestinians cannot yet simply be described as survivors of genocide because the destruction is continuing. The “genocide is not over,” Albanese told Anadolu in an interview approaching the anniversary of the war, warning that the devastation in Gaza and worsening conditions in the occupied West Bank demand more than diplomatic condemnation. “The situation on the ground is catastrophic. It’s really beyond what words can say,” she said. Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer who has served as the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory since 2022, said the continuing destruction raised questions about the international response, including the policies of governments supporting Israel. Her comments come as Israel’s war enters its fourth year, with more than 74,000 Palestinians killed and over 175,000 injured since October 2023, according to Palestinian figures. Israeli attacks have continued despite the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025. Palestinian figures put the toll since then at 1,454 killed and 5,090 injured. Albanese said descriptions of Palestinians as genocide survivors risk suggesting that the danger has passed. “It gives the sense that the destruction of Gaza is not over; 70% of the strip is under the control of the army, which is leveling as much as it can,” she said. ‘We are at a crossing point’ Asked how Gaza would be remembered alongside past genocides, Albanese drew comparisons with the treatment of Indigenous peoples during colonialism. “How does history remember the genocide of Native Americans, or the genocide of the Aboriginal people of Australia, or other genocides that have been committed throughout colonialism?” “It depends on who writes that history. And right now, we don’t know. We don’t know because we are at a crossing point.” Albanese described Gaza as the site of a wider struggle between two opposing forces: “Those who want to continue the genocide, the exploitation and the erasure of Palestine, and those who want to stop it, all of this.” She associated the first camp with the US, Israel and their allies, saying it included advocates of “greater militarization, greater surveillance powers in the hand of states.” “And then, on the other side, there are mostly people with some governments,” she said. Asked about electoral gains by politicians critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, Albanese said the genocide had shaped public perceptions. “You cannot slaughter kids and cry victim. You cannot. I mean, you can do that, but you are delusional,” she said. “And this is what Israeli leaders are doing. And some in Europe are following them, but it doesn’t hold water.” Settlement restrictions mark a change, but questions remain Albanese also warned of deteriorating conditions in the occupied West Bank, citing killings, arbitrary arrests, detention and Israeli restrictions on Palestinian communities. She welcomed moves by 12 countries to restrict trade with illegal Israeli settlements, while questioning how far the measures would go. In a joint statement in September, France, the UK, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden announced plans to introduce or support further restrictions, or said they were actively considering them. Albanese singled out Britain’s announced restrictions on settlement goods and financial support for settlement construction and infrastructure. “It marks a change of policy in the UK, a very long overdue change of policy that recognizes the illegality of the occupation,” she said. But she described the approach as “very settlement-focused” and questioned its scope, including what she said was the absence of an explicit reference to East Jerusalem. She also welcomed efforts to prevent the advertising and sale of Palestinian property from British territory. “The fact that advertisements and selling Palestinian property from the UK territory won’t be tolerated. This is good.” Europe, Middle East face questions over US relationship Albanese argued that the war had exposed the costs of European dependence on Washington. “We are not US allies, because if you have allies, you respect them. You talk to them properly. You don’t shout at them.” She accused the US of using threats against countries it describes as partners. “You don’t threaten them to invade their territory or to cut ties with them. This is what the US is doing, because we are not allies. We are in a situation of servitude and subalternity.” Albanese also urged countries in the Middle East to consider what she described as the links between US foreign policy and ambitions for a “Greater Israel.” “Greater Israel” refers to varying visions of expanded Israeli territory, drawing on biblical or historical claims. Some advocates seek control over the occupied Palestinian territories, while more expansive interpretations include parts of neighboring countries. Albanese argued that these ambitions were already being pursued. “Greater Israel is not a future project. It’s happening, and not just in Palestine,” she said. “So it's critical.” She said some proponents invoke biblical claims extending into Jordan, Syria and as far as Iraq, and urged governments across the region to take the implications seriously. Sanctions affect work and family life Albanese’s criticism of Israel has also brought personal consequences. The US imposed sanctions on Albanese in July 2025, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing her of conducting a “campaign of political and economic warfare” against the US and Israel. The Trump administration placed her on its Specially Designated Nationals list, which bars US citizens and businesses from dealing with her. Albanese said the effects extended beyond the US, restricting her access to banking and other financial services. The sanctions followed her UN report investigating the corporate machinery sustaining Israel’s activities in Palestine, alleging that major technology companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon were profiting from and facilitating the occupation and conflict. A federal judge temporarily blocked the sanctions in May, but an appeals court subsequently allowed their enforcement while the legal challenge continued. Albanese said the restrictions have affected her ability to work, travel and meet everyday expenses. She said she could no longer use her credit cards, had been denied health insurance and remained barred from entering the US. “The sanctions prevent me from functioning as a UN person, as a UN expert and as a mother. Everything is compromised,” she said. Unable to carry out financial transactions or receive payments for other work, she said she now depends on relatives. “I’m totally financially dependent on my family.” Her UN role is unpaid, but the restrictions also prevent her from being paid for other projects, she said. “I cannot earn a penny,” she said.