Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza?

The claim that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza is supported by several arguments and pieces of evidence extracted from the text sources. A report from the University Network for Human Rights (UNHR) concludes that Israel has committed genocidal acts, namely killing, seriously harming, and inflicting conditions of life calculated, and intended to, bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza . This conclusion is based on internationally agreed-upon definitions of genocide, as set forth in the Genocide Convention of 1948, which defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group . South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) includes public statements made by Israeli ministers, deputies, military personnel, and even artists since the beginning of the war, which South Africa argues constitutes incitement to genocide . Statements from high-ranking Israeli officials, such as Deputy Speaker Nissim Vaturi calling to "wipe Gaza off the face of the earth" and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich referring to Palestinians as "Nazis," are cited as evidence of genocidal intent . These statements are seen as part of a broader pattern of dehumanizing rhetoric used by Israeli leaders . Further supporting the claim, the Diakonia IHL Centre has examined the legality of Israel's conduct regarding its obligations under the law of occupation and the rules on the conduct of hostilities . Some reports indicate a high percentage of civilian casualties in Gaza, estimating that 80% of Palestinians killed are civilians . Also, reports note the destruction of agricultural land, water systems, and medical infrastructure, as well as the blocking of humanitarian aid, potentially leading to famine . The Boston University School of Law's International Human Rights Clinic's report states that over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military’s counter-offensive, including over 14,000 children . Conversely, the claim that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza is refuted by several counter-arguments and pieces of evidence found in the provided text sources. Israel vehemently denies the charges of genocide, asserting that its military operations are aimed at self-defense against Hamas, a terrorist organization . Israel argues that its actions are a response to Hamas's attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians . Israel defends that any civilian deaths in Gaza are unintentional and result from Hamas using the population as human shields . The Israeli military claims to take measures to minimize civilian casualties, such as issuing warnings before airstrikes and establishing humanitarian corridors . Israel ended a peace treaty because Hamas refused to hand over the remaining hostages held in Gaza . The UNHR report does not excuse the atrocities committed by Hamas in October. The report notes that self-defense is not an excuse to commit genocide, emphasizing the need to conform to international humanitarian law . The view of a former IDF military lawyer is also presented: the lawyer states that Israel considered the war an existential threat, justifying an alternative approach to engagement . This suggests that Israel's actions are driven by security concerns rather than a desire to eliminate the Palestinian population. It is claimed that while attacks against military objectives that cause excessive civilian casualties relative to the advantage gained are, in theory, a war crime . Israel argues that Hamas deliberately erased civilian-military distinctions throughout the conflict, further complicating efforts to minimize civilian harm . There is also the argument that allegations of aid diversions by Hamas are used to justify restrictions on humanitarian access, although humanitarian actors have contradicted Israel's allegations of massive aid diversion by Hamas . Based on the evidence presented, the question of whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza remains undetermined. There is substantial evidence supporting claims of acts that could constitute genocide. This evidence includes the scale of civilian casualties, the destruction of essential infrastructure, and statements by Israeli officials indicating a desire to inflict severe harm on Gaza and its population . However, there is also evidence refuting the claim, with Israel asserting its actions are self-defense against Hamas's terrorism and that it takes measures to minimize civilian casualties . The core issue lies in determining intent, which is a critical element in the legal definition of genocide . While statements from some Israeli leaders can be interpreted as evidence of intent to harm the Palestinian people, Israel argues these statements should be viewed in the context of responding to an existential threat and do not reflect official policy . The conflicting narratives and contested facts make it challenging to definitively conclude whether Israel's actions constitute genocide under international law . Ultimately, a determination of genocide requires a legal process, such as the ongoing ICJ case, to weigh the evidence and assess intent .