The BRICS TimesThe world’s leading genocide studies body declared Monday that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide.
Israeli air and ground assaults continued across the Gaza Strip on Monday, leaving at least 31 people dead, according to health authorities, as the military expanded its campaign in Gaza’s largest city. At the same time, a prominent association of genocide scholars accused Israel of committing genocide — a charge Israel firmly denies.
Explosions from airstrikes and artillery have shaken Gaza City since it was designated a combat zone last week. Witnesses on the outskirts and in the Jabaliya refugee camp reported remotely operated robots loaded with explosives were being used to demolish buildings.
“Yet another brutal night in Gaza City,” said Saeed Abu Elaish, a medic from Jabaliya sheltering in the northwest.
Hospitals reported that more than half of Monday’s 31 fatalities were women and children. Thirteen deaths occurred in Gaza City itself, an area already subject to multiple large-scale raids since Hamas-led militants launched the war with their Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel.
Israel insists its campaign targets militants and accuses Hamas — now reduced to a guerrilla force — of endangering civilians by operating within crowded neighborhoods.
Conflict and famine
Residents of Gaza City, many uprooted repeatedly by the fighting, now face both ongoing bombardment and worsening hunger. The world’s leading food crisis monitor declared last month that Gaza is experiencing famine, fueled by Israel’s blockade, massive displacement, and the collapse of farming and food supply chains.
Since the war began, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 63,557 deaths and 160,660 injuries. Although the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters, it says about half the dead are women and children. While part of the Hamas-run administration, the ministry is staffed by medical professionals and its figures are widely regarded by U.N. bodies and independent analysts as credible. Israel disputes the numbers but has not provided its own.
The conflict began after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, on Oct. 7 and abducted 251 others. Israel believes about 20 of the remaining 48 hostages still held in Gaza are alive.
Genocide accusations escalate
On Monday, the International Association of Genocide Scholars — the largest professional body in the field — declared that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide, along with crimes against humanity and war crimes. The resolution was backed by 86% of voting members, including several Holocaust experts.
“Those who study genocide recognize what is happening,” said the group’s president, Melanie O’Brien, professor of international law at the University of Western Australia.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry denounced the resolution as “an embarrassment to the legal profession and academic integrity,” calling it the result of Hamas propaganda.
Two major Israeli rights organizations — B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel — previously accused their own government of genocide, the first such statement from Jewish-led groups in the country. International human rights groups have also leveled similar claims.
Hostage funerals stir outrage
Thousands gathered for the funeral of Idan Shtivi, one of two hostages whose remains were recovered in a recent Israeli operation. The other, Ilan Weiss, was buried in a private service.
Grief quickly turned into anger as mourners accused the government of failing to secure the hostages’ release.
“It’s infuriating that no one in this government says ‘enough,’” said Ami Dagan of Rishon Letzion.
“This is horror, grief, and rage beyond words,” added mourner Ruti Taro, who blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.
Mass protests in Israel calling for a ceasefire and the release of captives have intensified in recent weeks, with many citizens accusing Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political survival.
Flotilla sails toward Gaza
Meanwhile, an activist flotilla carrying participants from 44 nations set sail from Barcelona after storm delays. The Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes climate activist Greta Thunberg, seeks to symbolically challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
The mission, involving about 20 boats, is the largest attempt yet, though Israel has intercepted all previous flotillas. The government insists the blockade prevents weapons smuggling and says alternative routes exist for aid deliveries.
At the same time, Israel has tightened restrictions on food entering northern Gaza while intensifying its assault on Gaza City.
Akshay Didwaniya