Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, has urged the international community to impose sanctions and enforce an arms embargo on Israel, warning that failure to do so amounts to complicity in what she described as “one of the most preventable genocides in history.”  

In a statement posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, Albanese highlighted Israel’s decision to cut off electricity supplies to Gaza as a “warning sign of genocide.” She explained that the power cutoff has crippled essential services, including water desalination plants, leaving Gaza’s population without access to clean water. “Cutting electricity to Gaza means no functioning water desalination plants, and thus no clean water—a clear warning of genocide,” she stated.  

The remarks came after Israeli authorities severed power to a key desalination plant in southern Gaza on Sunday, just hours after Israel’s Energy Minister threatened to halt electricity supplies as part of a broader blockade and closure of border crossings. Salama Maarouf, head of Gaza’s Government Media Office, confirmed the shutdown, noting that the plant, which operates via transmission line F11, was directly affected.  

Since the start of Israel’s military offensive on Gaza in October 2023, the enclave has faced a near-total electricity blackout, severely impacting hospitals, infrastructure, and daily life. The destruction of power generators and critical facilities has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with millions of Palestinians struggling to access basic necessities.  

Albanese’s call for sanctions and an arms embargo underscores growing international concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza, which she argues are contributing to a catastrophic and preventable humanitarian disaster. Her statement adds to mounting pressure on global leaders to take decisive action to hold Israel accountable and protect Palestinian civilians.