Subhechcha Ganguly 
The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) has declared that Israel’s military actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide, citing widespread civilian casualties and calls for the expulsion of Palestinians from the territory.
In a resolution passed on Monday, the IAGS – the world’s largest professional body of genocide scholars with over 500 members, including Holocaust experts – stated that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Of the members who voted, 86% supported the resolution.
The three-page document highlights that more than 50,000 children have been killed or injured due to Israeli operations, echoing concerns previously raised by UNICEF. It also lists repeated threats from Israeli leaders advocating the forced removal of Palestinians from Gaza.
While acknowledging Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel as a crime, the scholars stressed that Israel’s response has extended beyond Hamas to target Gaza’s wider civilian population. The resolution cites Article 2 of the UN Genocide Convention (1948), which defines genocide as acts committed “with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.”
The IAGS resolution follows similar statements by Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, both of which have warned that Israel’s Gaza offensive constitutes genocide.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 63,000 people have been killed and more than 160,000 injured since October 2023. Meanwhile, UN-backed food monitors have confirmed famine in parts of Gaza – a claim denied by Israel.
Responding to the report, Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the findings, accusing the IAGS of relying on “Hamas’ lies” and calling the resolution “an embarrassment to the legal profession.” Israel maintains it is a victim of genocide and continues to frame the allegations as part of Hamas propaganda.
