Is this genocide? Criticism of the Israeli army is growing as they begin to enter the city where more than a million displaced Palestinian are sheltering.
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Gaza cowers as Israel plans 'total victory'
Is this genocide? Criticism of the Israeli army is growing as they begin to enter the city where more than a million displaced Palestinian are sheltering.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">War of words</h2>
A group of children lean against an upturned table, each one holding a metal bowl. On the other side of the table, a charity worker has set up a temporary kitchen, but none of the children's bowls are full.
This scene took place in Rafah, in the southern district of the Gaza StripThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by Israel and Egypt. . The city currently contains about 1.5 million PalestiniansPeople from Palestine, an area located in the Southern Levant region of Western Asia. living in camps. Supplies are scarce and there are fears of famineA widespread scarcity of food. .
Since 27 October, when IsraelA country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.'s army began operations in Gaza, roughly 27,947 Palestinians have been killed and 1.9 million displaced.1 Over half the population are living in Rafah, which Israel originally declared a "safe zone".
On Sunday night, Israel's offensive in the city began. Critics claim further strikes would be evidence of Israel's alleged genocideThe annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture. of the Palestinian people.
Genocide means violent acts committed to destroy a "national, ethnic, racial or religious group".2 The term was invented by Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin to describe the HolocaustThe murder of six million Jewish people in Europe by Nazi Germany. Members of other minority groups were also killed. , in which every member of his family except for one brother was killed.
Last month, South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people. They argued that the civilianA person who is not in the armed services or the police force. population of Gaza has been deliberately targeted. Israel responded that these accusations ignore the attacks against their own civilians on OctoberOn 7 October 2023, the Palestinian group Hamas, which controls Gaza, carried out a series of surprise attacks on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking more than 200 hostages. .
Their case was heard at the International Court of Justice. It focussed on whether Israel intended to commit genocide, but intention is hard to prove. In the end, the court ordered the country to take all possible measures to prevent genocidal acts and ensure that services and aid resumed in Gaza.
Given the history of the Jewish people, accusations of genocide bring out strong reactions. But the war is causing the death and displacement of countless civilians, meaning the criticism will grow louder.
Is this genocide?
Yes: By killing so many civilians alongside military targets, some say, the Israeli army is showing that they place no value on Palestinian lives.
No: War is always violent, but Hamas started the conflict when they killed over a thousand Israeli civilians. Countries have the right to defend themselves.
Or... Even if intention is difficult to prove, the death and displacementWhen people have been forced out of their homes. of so many Palestinians means people will keep accusing the Israeli army of genocide.
Gaza strip - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by Israel and Egypt.
Palestinians - People from Palestine, an area located in the Southern Levant region of Western Asia.
Famine - A widespread scarcity of food.
Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.
Genocide - The annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture.
Holocaust - The murder of six million Jewish people in Europe by Nazi Germany. Members of other minority groups were also killed.
Civilian - A person who is not in the armed services or the police force.
7 October - On 7 October 2023, the Palestinian group Hamas, which controls Gaza, carried out a series of surprise attacks on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking more than 200 hostages.
Displacement - When people have been forced out of their homes.
Gaza cowers as Israel plans ‘total victory’
No home left: Close to 80% of Gaza's population has been displaced by the war. Glossary
Gaza strip - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by Israel and Egypt.
Palestinians - People from Palestine, an area located in the Southern Levant region of Western Asia.
Famine - A widespread scarcity of food.
Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.
Genocide - The annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture.
Holocaust - The murder of six million Jewish people in Europe by Nazi Germany. Members of other minority groups were also killed.
Civilian - A person who is not in the armed services or the police force.
7 October - On 7 October 2023, the Palestinian group Hamas, which controls Gaza, carried out a series of surprise attacks on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking more than 200 hostages.
Displacement - When people have been forced out of their homes.