UN expert: Palestinians cannot be saved without 'massive intervention' to stop Israel

A UN special rapporteur delivered a stark warning Tuesday that Palestinians in Gaza cannot be saved without "massive intervention" to halt Israel's actions, calling on states to sever economic, military and financial ties with the country. The appeal came as Albanese launched a report documenting widespread torture and ongoing genocide against Palestinians.

Call for accountability

"How come the member states continue to engage with Israel?" asked Francesca Albanese, the rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, during a press briefing. She reminded governments of their obligations "not to transfer weapons to a state that is committing war crimes." Albanese described Gaza as "just the beginning of this new escalatory phase of erasure of Palestinians," warning that similar patterns are already visible in Lebanon and Iran. "The most peaceful way to stop Israel is to cut ties, economic ties, military ties and financial ties," she said.

Situation worsening

Albanese stressed that conditions in Gaza are "worsening" despite the ceasefire, noting that Israel has killed 650 Palestinians since the truce began. She said the deterioration is "not a coincidence" but "intentional," pointing to continued destruction, starvation and suffering. Her latest report on torture and genocide detailed abuses against detainees including "severe beatings, intentional bone breaking, prolonged shackling and blindfolding, sleep deprivation, starvation, denial of medical care, sexual abuse, rape" affecting men, women and children. "An unprecedented number of detainees have died in custody," she said.

Systematic abuses documented

Albanese presented her report Monday at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, documenting "Israel's widespread and systematic use of torture, alongside the creation of a torturous environment against Palestinians." According to the report, between October 2023 and January 2026, Israeli forces arrested more than 18,500 Palestinians, including children. Nearly 100 died in custody, about 4,000 remain forcibly disappeared, and thousands have been detained without charge in inhuman conditions. Responding to Israeli criticism of her findings, Albanese said: "Israel can say what it wants. It still needs to be held accountable. Its leaders deserve to be in The Hague."