Now for the first time, major human rights organizations—including two of Israel’s preeminent groups—have issued findings that what Israel is doing in Gaza meets the definition of genocide. This announcement comes amidst the ongoing conflict which has already resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and the creation of a dire humanitarian crisis. Israel, however, maintains that its military operations are acts of self-defense against Hamas, the militant group it accuses of using civilians as shields.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a breaking point. On an average recent Monday, according to reports, Israeli fire killed at least 31 people, and the majority of those casualties were women and children. Hospitals across the region have corroborated these deaths as the violence continues to escalate. As of late June 2023, the Gaza Health Ministry released a jaw-dropping figure of 63,557 Palestinians killed. Further, nearly 160,660 individuals have been injured since the onset of the fighting.
Human Rights Allegations
The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) declare that what Israel is doing in Gaza is committing crimes against humanity. They argue that these measures constitute an intent to destroy the Palestinian people, in whole or in part. As the many UN and third party reports reiterate, humanitarian conditions in Gaza are abysmal. Food insecurity is overwhelming there due to blockades and restrictions on humanitarian assistance.
Israels government has pushed back against these allegations, characterizing them as politicized attempts. They are convinced these allegations are designed to deligitimate the country’s right to self-defense. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the IAGS findings as “wholly unfounded in fact and law,” describing them as “an embarrassment to the legal profession and to any academic standard.”
“It is entirely based on Hamas’s campaign of lies and the laundering of those lies by others,” – Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For his part, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar insisted that the charges are “politically motivated.” He argues they don’t seek justice. For years, international legal institutions have been weaponized against Israel.
Military Operations and Civilian Impact
Israel claims that its military operations only seek to root out Hamas militants. They argue that civilian casualties are an unavoidable consequence of Hamas’s decision to operate in densely populated areas. In recent military offensives, explosive-laden robots have been deployed. Instead they are being used to demolish homes and shelters in Gaza City and the Jabaliya refugee camp. Yet, according to human rights organizations, these operations are disproportionately targeting civilians and causing untold damage and suffering.
Local resident Saeed Abu Elaish summed up the conditions grimly, calling it “just another brutal night in Gaza City.” We have to get down to reality… His remarks capture the horrifying reality being lived by so many in the region.
The humanitarian catastrophe grows larger every day, as aid access has become an impossibility for so many who urgently need it. We hear reports of hunger and lack of access to basic needs including water and medical supplies. The IAGS calls for an immediate end to actions that constitute genocide and war crimes. They aspire to shield the Palestinian population from more damage.
“We call for an immediate cease to all acts that constitute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza,” – The International Association of Genocide Scholars.
International Reactions
Israel’s accusations of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes have faced widespread global backlash, spurring protests around the world and inside Israel. Many activists and organizations are calling for accountability and support for the Palestinian people amid what they describe as an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.
Human rights groups have condemned Israel’s actions. At the same time, South Africa has made a courageous move of its own by pursuing an inter-state case against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Israel countered by calling this case “morally repugnant.”
“The goal is not justice. Israel’s enemies weaponize international legal institutions to try and render Israel defenseless,” – Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
As this tangled mess continues to unravel, the world still hasn’t agreed on what should be done or how to fix the root causes plaguing the region. Many continue to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict while advocating for the protection of human rights for all individuals affected by the violence.
