Albanese says bombs used against Gaza equaled six nuclear bombs
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- Francesca Albanese says the bombs used against Gaza had an explosive power equivalent to six nuclear bombs, highlighting the scale of destruction.
- The UN expert warns that rubble removal without proper precautions could expose people to unexploded ordnance and hazardous materials.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, has said the bombs used against the Gaza Strip had an explosive power equivalent to six nuclear bombs, warning of the scale of destruction caused by the bombardment.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Albanese stressed that addressing the devastation in Gaza would be difficult without genuine international support, as the destruction of buildings and infrastructure continues to pose major challenges for recovery.
Her remarks highlight the enormous task of rebuilding the territory after extensive bombardment, which has damaged residential areas and essential infrastructure.
Albanese also warned against removing rubble from destroyed buildings without proper assessment and safety measures.
She noted that debris could contain unexploded ordnance and hazardous materials, posing serious risks to residents, rescue workers and those involved in clearing damaged areas.
Unexploded munitions can detonate during debris removal, while hazardous substances released from destroyed buildings may threaten public health and the environment.
Albanese emphasized the importance of genuine international support in addressing the scale of destruction across Gaza.
The recovery process requires more than clearing debris, including identifying and safely removing explosive remnants, assessing environmental hazards and restoring essential infrastructure.
The extent of the damage also presents significant challenges for reconstruction, particularly in densely populated areas where destroyed buildings and damaged roads complicate access for emergency and recovery teams.
The six-nuclear-bomb comparison reflects Albanese’s stated assessment. The figure should be treated as an attributed claim unless supported by a clearly identified assessment specifying the total explosive yield and the basis for the comparison.
