A UN expert claimed Israel was systematically torturing Palestinians on a scale "that suggests collective vengeance and destructive intent," in a report released to the media on Friday, March 20.
Francesca Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, said that since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, which triggered the Gaza war, Palestinians in custody "have been subjected to exceptionally ruthless physical and psychological abuse."
AFP has sought a comment from Israel's mission in Geneva, which has previously accused Albanese of being motivated by an "obsessive, hate-driven agenda to delegitimize the state of Israel."
Albanese has faced harsh criticism, allegations of anti-Semitism and demands for her removal, from Israel and some of its allies, over her relentless criticism and long-standing accusations of "genocide."
Last month, France and Germany called for her to resign following her remarks to a forum in Doha. Albanese said they had done so based on "false accusations" and a "manipulation" of what she had actually said.
