An overwhelming majority of the world’s leading genocide scholars have endorsed a resolution stating that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide. In a vote by the 500-member International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), 86% supported the motion. The resolution asserts that Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza align with the definition of genocide under Article II of the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention.
The three-page resolution calls on Israel to immediately halt all acts that constitute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza. These include deliberate attacks on and killing of civilians—including children—starvation, blocking humanitarian aid, water, fuel, and other essentials, sexual and reproductive violence, and forced displacement.
The resolution acknowledges that since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack—which it also recognizes as involving international crimes—the Israeli government has engaged in systematic and widespread crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. This includes indiscriminate and targeted attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, such as hospitals, homes, and commercial buildings.
Melanie O’Brien, president of IAGS and a professor of international law at the University of Western Australia, described the resolution as “a definitive statement from experts in genocide studies that what is happening on the ground in Gaza is genocide.”
Founded in 1994, the IAGS includes academics, historians, political scientists, and human rights activists. The association has previously issued resolutions identifying genocides, including historical cases like the Armenian genocide.
The 1948 UN Genocide Convention, created in the aftermath of the Holocaust, defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. It requires signatory states to prevent and stop such crimes, which may include killing, causing serious harm, imposing conditions meant to destroy a group, preventing births, or forcibly transferring children.
There was no immediate response from the Israeli foreign ministry.
Israel is currently facing allegations of genocide in Gaza at the International Court of Justice. Separately, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif but withdrew it after he was killed.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the assertion that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza designed to be clear concise and informative
General Definition Questions
Q What is the legal definition of genocide
A Under international law genocide is the intent to destroy in whole or in part a national ethnic racial or religious group It includes acts like killing members of the group causing serious bodily or mental harm or deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction
Q Who are these leading international experts making this claim
A They are specialized scholars human rights lawyers and UN officials who study mass atrocities This includes figures like Raz Segal an Israeli historian and genocide scholar and Francesca Albanese the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories among many others
Q Is this a formal legal ruling from a court
A No not yet This is an accusation and a legal analysis by experts A formal finding of genocide can only be made by a competent international court like the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court after a full legal process
Questions About the Specific Allegations
Q What evidence are experts pointing to for this claim
A Experts cite several factors including the scale of death and destruction in Gaza the use of indiscriminate or disproportionate force the displacement of most of the population the blockade on essential resources like food water and fuel and inflammatory statements by some Israeli officials that they argue demonstrate genocidal intent
Q But didnt Hamas attack Israel on October 7th Isnt this a war
A Yes Hamass attack on October 7th was a major act of violence that triggered the war The experts argument is that a states right to selfdefense is not unlimited and must comply with international law They assert that Israels military response has far exceeded proportional selfdefense and meets the legal criteria for genocide
Q What is genocidal intent and how is it proven
