The International Association of Genocide Scholars—a global body composed of over 500 experts—has officially declared that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide under international law. In a resolution passed by a large majority, the group cited mass civilian killings, the weaponization of starvation, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and forced displacement of the population. Such actions, they emphasized, also qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
This classification is particularly notable, being only the tenth such declaration in the organization’s history. It comes as the International Court of Justice reviews South Africa’s case accusing Israel of incitement to genocide and the obstruction of humanitarian aid. The scholars’ resolution is likely to amplify global pressure for accountability, the removal of the blockade, and the protection of civilians caught in what they describe as a genocidal scenario. Over two years of sustained bombardment, famine, and siege have claimed the lives of tens of thousands, including many children, while essential systems—health, food, and education—have collapsed entirely.