The world’s largest association of genocide experts has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The International Association of Genocide Scholars[1] (IAGS), which brings together about 500 academics, passed a resolution saying Israel’s war fits the definition set in the 1948 United Nations convention.
What the Resolution Found
The scholars said the killings, destruction, and restrictions on essentials in Gaza amount to genocide. They pointed to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, including more than 50,000 children reported killed or injured by UN monitors. They also cited the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals, along with repeated attacks on aid operations.
The resolution highlights how Israel has cut off food, water, fuel, and medicine. International monitors confirmed famine in parts of Gaza. Nearly the entire population has been displaced, many more than once. Israeli leaders have made public statements calling for the expulsion of Palestinians or the destruction of Gaza. The scholars said these actions show an intent to eliminate Palestinians as a group.
Deaths and Displacement
Since the war began in October 2023, Gaza’s health ministry has reported over 63,000 people killed and more than 160,000 injured. Homes and infrastructure have been destroyed on a massive scale. Almost no family has avoided displacement.
The war started after the Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and led to hundreds taken hostage. The scholars noted those events were crimes under international law but said Israel’s response went far beyond Hamas and targeted Gaza’s population as a whole.
Court Cases and Investigations
The declaration comes as Israel faces cases at the world’s top courts. At the International Court of Justice, South Africa has accused Israel of genocide. Proceedings continue, and Israel has until early 2026 to present its defence. The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Responses
Israel denies it is committing genocide and says its actions are acts of self-defence. Officials have dismissed the IAGS resolution as biased. Yet the association’s decision adds to findings by several rights groups, including Israeli organisations, that have reached the same conclusion.
The IAGS has previously recognised genocide in Rwanda, Bosnia, Armenia, and Myanmar. By including Gaza, the association has placed the war within a historical record of cases judged by scholars as attempts to destroy a people.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.
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References
- ^ The International Association of Genocide Scholars (genocidescholars.org)
- ^ Daily Vitamin D May Keep Cells Healthier for Longer, but Scientists Urge Caution (www.digitalinformationworld.com)