• UN expert Francesca Albanese names over 60 companies profiting from Israel's actions in Gaza.
• The report describes Israel's actions as "one of the cruelest genocides in modern history."
• Calls for an arms embargo and end to trade ties with Israel are emphasized.
• Allegations include complicity in war crimes by multinational corporations.
• The situation in Gaza is described as "apocalyptic," with a rising death toll reported.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, has presented a report accusing Israel of "one of the cruelest genocides in modern history," and named over 60 companies believed to be complicit in supporting these actions. Albanese's extensive report details how corporate profits are tied intricately to the ongoing violence in Gaza and claims that these entities must cease all dealings with Israel. Her assertions are based on over 200 submissions she received from various stakeholders, including states, human rights defenders, and academics, according to TRT World and HuffPost.

Albanese reiterated that the current situation in Gaza is "apocalyptic," emphasizing that more than 200,000 Palestinians have either been killed or injured, with some estimates of the actual toll being much higher. She labeled the Israeli military actions as a vicious campaign profit-driven by corporate entities that are financially intertwined with Israel's military efforts, detailing that arms manufacturers and tech companies are integral to the ongoing conflict, as highlighted in reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The report evaluates the economic backdrop against the humanitarian crisis, revealing unusual profits among arms manufacturers who have supplied weaponry that has led to significant destruction and loss of life in Gaza. Albanese pointed out a stark increase of 213% on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange since October 2023, attributing these gains to the ongoing military operations in the region. Companies cited for their involvement include Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar, and tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon, which have reportedly provided critical technology enabling surveillance and military operations in Gaza, according to AA and BBC.

Albanese called for urgent action, urging UN member states to impose a full arms embargo against Israel and suspend all trade and investment relations. She stated that companies failing to disengage could potentially be implicated in war crimes and pointed out the necessity for accountability for these violations under international law. The claims received immediate backlash from Israel, which dismissed Albanese's findings as defamatory and lacking legal standing, as noted by AA and Reuters.

As the humanitarian crisis intensifies, with reports estimating that nearly 57,000 Palestinians have been killed amidst heightened military campaigns, Albanese argues there is a prime responsibility on all states and corporate entities to break ties with what she refers to as an "economy of genocide." The call for a widespread corporate divestment echoes historical precedents seen during the apartheid era in South Africa, where international disinvestment ultimately played a key role in dismantling oppressive regimes, according to HuffPost and BBC.