Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, has expressed grave concerns regarding the terminology used to describe the ongoing conflict in Gaza, stating that “normalized language” misrepresents the dire circumstances on the ground.
Albanese emphasized that “no one is safe in Gaza,” calling it unequivocally evident that Israel’s intentions can only be described as “ethnic cleansing.” During her appearance on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, she remarked, “I think that people get very confused if we continue to use normalizing-sounding language because it gives the wrong impression.”
She denounced the recent military strikes as an “acceleration of a total destruction of life in Gaza,” underscoring the chaos that has ensued. Albanese pointed out the staggering toll of recent violence: “We should not forget that 1,000 people have been killed in the West Bank since October 2023. Meanwhile, in Gaza—where civilians were beginning to piece their lives back together after a ceasefire—100 people had already lost their lives, revealing that the ceasefire was not effective.” She added, “And now, within just 48 hours, Israel has resumed carpet bombing over the Strip, resulting in the tragic deaths of 400 people.”
As the situation escalates, the Israeli military has reported the resumption of ground operations in central and southern Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire that had, until recently, appeared to be holding. Their operations now aim to extend control over the Netzarim Corridor, a region that divides Gaza, with the objective of establishing a buffer zone.
In a poignant observation, Albanese shared the distressing images of children injured in the bombings, asking, “Do we understand what it is? This is not a war; this is a total elimination that will persist until the last breath of Palestinian life in Gaza is extinguished.” She expressed her disbelief that discussions around this issue often echo the narratives put forth by Israeli occupation forces, even in places like Ireland.
Since the beginning of October 2023, over 250 UN staff members have tragically lost their lives in Gaza, and nearly 70% of UN premises have been destroyed. “The UN is considered a terrorist organization by Israel,” Albanese noted, stressing that despite the severity of the situation, we still persist in calling it a war. “But what of the killing of yet another UN official? No one is stepping in to save us,” she lamented.
The UN Special Rapporteur conveyed a clear message: “No one is safe.” She pointed out that Israeli politicians have yet to acknowledge the reality of “ethnically cleansing the occupied Palestinian territory.” “Their intentions are transparent,” she asserted. “They want to regain control of Gaza, reoccupy it, and resettle it—a move that once again highlights their objectives.”
Albanese urged the need for adherence to international law as a paramount standard, rather than simply accepting Israel’s narrative. “Israel must withdraw its troops, dismantle settlements, and relinquish all forms of control over Palestinian natural resources,” she said. “Countries, including Ireland, have a moral obligation to ensure these actions are taken.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
