Top Genocide Scholars Declare Israel’s War on Gaza Meets Legal Definition of Genocide;

In a major development, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS)—the world’s foremost body of genocide experts—has declared that Israel's ongoing war on Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide under international law. The resolution was passed on Monday, with 86% of IAGS members voting in favor. The organization comprises over 500 scholars and researchers from around the world, many of whom specialize in the study and prevention of genocide. “This is a definitive statement from experts in the field of genocide studies that what is going on on the ground in Gaza is genocide,” said Melanie O’Brien, President of IAGS and Professor of International Law at the University of Western Australia, in a statement to Reuters. What Does the Genocide Convention Say? The 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, established in the wake of the Holocaust, defines genocide as acts committed “with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” These acts include: Killing members of the group Causing serious bodily or mental harm Inflicting living conditions intended to destroy the group Preventing births Forcibly transferring children to another group The IAGS resolution emphasized that Israel’s actions in Gaza clearly align with several of these criteria. Key Findings and Alleged Violations According to the IAGS, Israel’s military operations and policies in Gaza constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, as outlined in international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The resolution highlighted numerous acts by Israeli forces, including: Indiscriminate and targeted attacks on civilians and infrastructure (homes, hospitals, schools, etc.) Systematic destruction of Gaza’s housing, with over 90% reportedly destroyed Displacement of 2.3 million Palestinians Killing of entire multi-generational families Maiming or injuring over 50,000 children Torture, arbitrary detention, and sexual violence Targeting of medical personnel, journalists, and humanitarian workers Deliberate deprivation of food, clean water, and medical supplies The association also cited statements by Israeli officials, and referred to proposals—like the Trump administration’s “deal of the century”—that included forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza as further evidence of genocidal intent. The Human Cost So Far Since the war began following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, where 1,139 Israelis were killed and about 200 taken hostage, Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 63,500 Palestinian deaths, and more than 160,000 injuries, according to various estimates. The scale and scope of destruction, combined with the targeting of civilian infrastructure and essential services, has created what many international bodies describe as a “catastrophic humanitarian crisis.” Growing Global Concern The IAGS declaration adds weight to the concerns raised by governments, human rights organizations, and international legal experts regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. It comes amid ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and multiple legal cases at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). As international scrutiny intensifies, the IAGS statement is likely to play a significant role in shaping legal and political discourse on the conflict and may influence future efforts at accountability. Final Thoughts The declaration by the world’s leading genocide scholars marks a turning point in global perception of the war in Gaza. As civilian casualties continue to rise and international institutions weigh in, the question now is whether world leaders will act to prevent further atrocities—or continue to turn a blind eye.

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