Kathmandu— The Israeli military is undertaking a large-scale operation to remove millions of tonnes of rubble from the Gaza Strip, raising concerns among human rights organizations that it aims to conceal evidence of potential war crimes and alter the demographic makeup of the territory. The systematic removal, which began following the start of Israel’s offensive in October 2023 and has resulted in at least 73,387 Palestinian deaths – primarily women and children – involves crushing and transporting debris to undisclosed locations within Israel and the occupied West Bank using approximately 100 trucks daily. Rights groups claim this reshaping of Gaza's urban landscape could be a form of demographic engineering and an attempt to erase evidence related to accusations of genocide.

Systematic Rubble Removal

According to a report by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, approximately 68 million tonnes of rubble now cover the Gaza Strip, with at least 10 million tonnes already removed or crushed. Around 400 heavy machinery units are actively demolishing remaining structures within areas under Israeli military control, which encompass two-thirds of the enclave. The removal isn’t limited to recent destruction; debris is also being taken from cemeteries and known burial sites.

Evidence of War Crimes at Risk

Budour Hassan, a researcher at Amnesty International, believes this operation represents a calculated effort to destroy evidence of alleged crimes committed during the war. “The bulldozing is an integral part of all attempts to destroy the lands in Gaza City and in the Gaza Strip in general,” she said. Mohammed Salha, director of the NGO Network in the Gaza Strip, added that the rubble contains crucial evidence like missile fragments, ammunition, and personal belongings. He fears its removal will hinder future accountability efforts.

Urban Engineering and Demographic Change

The mass removal of rubble is also seen as a form of urban engineering with potential long-term consequences. Euro-Med Monitor reports that the destruction of land boundaries and foundations strips Palestinians of proof of ownership, potentially facilitating ethnic cleansing and paving the way for Israeli settlements. Retired Brigadier General Elias Hanna explained that this reshaping of the landscape serves as collective punishment and aims to create a new social and security environment.

Impact on Missing Persons and Families

The removal of rubble also jeopardizes efforts to locate an estimated 8,500 missing people in Gaza. Rescue operations are hampered by Israeli military control, and the use of heavy machinery without forensic surveys risks destroying or scattering remains. Abu Asim, a Palestinian citizen whose family members remain buried in eastern Gaza, expressed his anguish, stating that losing their bodies is “the second and daily tragedy” after their deaths.

Legal Implications and International Scrutiny

Samir al-Mana’ama, a lawyer with the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, highlighted the violation of international humanitarian law by preventing rescue crews from accessing affected areas and tampering with rubble sites. The actions are seen as a direct challenge to the International Court of Justice, which is currently overseeing a genocide case against Israel brought by South Africa.

Rescue efforts remain severely hampered, and access to areas under Israeli control remains restricted, raising concerns about the potential loss of vital evidence and the fate of missing persons. The ongoing removal of rubble continues to fuel accusations of war crimes and deliberate attempts to alter the demographic landscape of Gaza.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.