UN report accuses global corporations of profiting from Gaza genocide, urges sanctions on Israel

Dubai: A United Nations human rights expert has called for sanctions, an arms embargo on Israel, and urgent corporate accountability over what she describes as the “profiteering from genocide” during Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

The explosive report, delivered on Thursday to the UN Human Rights Council, sheds light on the widespread international complicity in what the rapporteur says is a grave and ongoing atrocity, according to The Guardian.

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, released the report titled From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide. In it, she highlights how dozens of corporations—from defense contractors to construction and agricultural firms — are entangled in the economic machinery sustaining Israel’s assault on Gaza and the West Bank.

“While life in Gaza is being obliterated and the West Bank is under escalating assault, this report shows why Israel’s genocide continues: because it is lucrative for many,” Albanese stated.

Her report accuses companies of contributing directly or indirectly to military operations, displacement, and destruction on a mass scale, with little regard for humanitarian law or civilian life.

Albanese, an Italian legal scholar appointed in 2022, has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, previously characterising them as genocide in early 2024. She argues that overwhelming evidence already supports that charge — even as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) continues its deliberations on a genocide case filed against Israel.

“There’s no need to wait for a formal ICJ judgment,” Albanese said. “I have investigated this for 630 days. After five months, I could already say it was genocide. You don’t need a scientist—you just need to connect the dots.”

Citing figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, the report, quoted by The Guardian, notes that over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in October 2023, following a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.

Many victims remain uncounted beneath rubble. Albanese says the Israeli military has deliberately destroyed civilian infrastructure, homes, and the conditions necessary for survival, including access to food, water, and shelter.

A key focus of the report is the role of multinational corporations. Albanese identifies defence contractor Lockheed Martin as one of the largest beneficiaries, supplying Israel with F-35 fighter jets under what the report calls “the largest-ever defense procurement programme.” The report states that Israel was the first country to fly the F-35 in “beast mode,” carrying up to 18,000 pounds of bombs.

Lockheed Martin declined to comment in detail, noting that foreign military sales are government-to-government transactions handled by the US government. The company has previously stated it is “proud of the significant role it has fulfilled in the security of the state of Israel.”

Palantir Technologies, a U.S. data analytics firm, also comes under sharp scrutiny. The company reportedly partnered with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to support “war-related missions,” though it denies involvement in controversial target-identification programs like Lavender and Gospel. Nevertheless, Albanese’s report raises concerns about Palantir’s battlefield technology and its role in enabling automated warfare.

The report also names construction and engineering firms such as Volvo, which allegedly supplied heavy machinery used in the mass demolition of Palestinian homes, mosques, and infrastructure. Although Volvo claims much of the equipment was acquired on the secondhand market, Albanese insists continued business ties with Israeli partners make these companies complicit.

“These companies have continued supplying the Israeli market despite abundant evidence of Israel’s criminal use of this machinery,” the report states. “Passive suppliers become deliberate contributors to a system of displacement.”

Albanese called for targeted sanctions against Israeli officials, an arms embargo, and legal action against corporate actors profiting from what she defines as state-sponsored war crimes and genocide. She emphasized that both political leaders and private entities must be held accountable.

“The complicity exposed by this report is just the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “Ending it will not happen without holding the private sector accountable, including its executives.”

As the ICJ weighs the genocide case, Albanese’s report is likely to increase pressure on states, corporations, and global institutions to act — not only in ending the violence, but also in dismantling the economic structures enabling it.