A common theme in the mainstream media is that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Hamas initiates strikes on Israel, then Israel responds in defense, consistent with counterterrorism measures. Hamas deliberately launches rockets from densely packed civilian areas in Gaza, using human shields and embedding military infrastructure in densely populated zones including hospitals and schools, making it difficult for Israel to respond without endangering some civilians. The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that started the last intense round of hostilities killed over 1,200 Israelis, justifying a military response to prevent further attacks.
The definition of genocide under the 1948 U.N. Genocide Convention does not fit Israel’s actions. The law requires a specific intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Israel’s military operations target Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, not the Palestinian population. Evacuating civilians, issuing pre-strike warnings such as “roof knocking,” phone calls and leaflets, allowing humanitarian aid, precision strikes and evacuation orders to minimize civilian harm are evidence against genocidal intent.
The Israeli Supreme Court has intervened in cases involving Palestinian rights, which is also inconsistent with a genocidal state. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 and allowed Hamas to govern the territory, more evidence it was not seeking to annihilate the Palestinians.
Even the biased International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC) have never definitively ruled that Israel’s actions constitute genocide. In the 2024 ICJ case brought by South Africa, the court ordered Israel to take measures to prevent genocide but did not conclude that genocide was occurring, focusing instead on humanitarian protections. Countries like the U.S., U.K. and Germany have rejected genocide allegations, framing Israel’s actions as self-defense.
Over 500,000 tons of humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza since the Hamas attack, including food, water and medical aid. Israel’s opponents claim that people are starving in Gaza, but Israeli sources found that most reported malnutrition deaths were linked to preexisting medical conditions rather than food scarcity, and many of them had been treated in Israel. Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry data only reported 66 malnutrition deaths after the attack, then suddenly escalated that to over 133 in July with no explanation of the cases, unlike in its previous reports.
U.N. figures reveal that the vast majority of their trucks coming into Gaza over the past two months have been looted by Hamas. Israel overcame them with airdrops, maritime deliveries, safe transport routes and GHF distribution points manned by American companies. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) — a network of Western governments, the U.N., and nonprofit groups — claimed in a July 29 report that "the worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.” However, the IPC changed its own standards to make this determination. IPC used the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurement, as opposed to the weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) which had been used previously. MUAC requires a higher 30% threshold of young children in order to declare a famine, whereas WHZ only requires 15%.
The U.S. State Department said it is “looking into credible reports that the IPC recently changed its definition for what constitutes a famine.” A spokesperson told The Times of Israel, “Hamas is systematically promoting a false narrative of deliberate mass starvation to put political pressure on Israel.”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) describe the malnutrition allegations as a deliberate propaganda campaign by Hamas to discredit Israel. They reviewed claims from Gaza's Ministry of Health regarding the 133 deaths and found that only a handful could be verified. Most cases were attributed to severe pre-existing conditions, such as lifelong muscular dystrophy, partial paralysis or other illnesses.
IDF accused Hamas of cynically exploiting tragic images of patients with pre-existing conditions for propaganda. The IDF’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which provides humanitarian assistance, highlighted some of these instances. The Daily Mirror published a photo of a 3-year old with a distended stomach, claiming it was caused by malnutrition. COGAT stated in an X post on Sunday, “Karim suffers from a genetic illness — Fanconi syndrome — which led to muscle and urinary tract weakness.”
It is Hamas that is genocidal. The terrorist organization has fired thousands of rockets at Israel since the war began. The war has expanded beyond Gaza, with Hezbollah launching attacks from Lebanon, Houthi rebels targeting Israeli interests from Yemen and Iran directly attacking Israel with missile barrages in April and October 2024. At the same time, the IDF has achieved operational control over approximately 75% of Gaza and significantly degraded Hamas’ military capabilities.
Hamas took 255 Israelis hostage since the war began. Only 148 have been returned or rescued, and 75 were killed. There are still 50 in captivity, although Israel suspects at least 27 are dead. The number of Palestinians killed cannot be verified, due to accusations that Gaza authorities are inflating the numbers, and don’t distinguish Hamas-caused deaths from those inflicted by Israel.
The original Hamas Covenant, published in 1988, explicitly calls for the destruction of Israel. Article 7 references a hadith about Muslims killing Jews in an apocalyptic battle, stating, “The Day of Judgment will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews and kill them.” Article 13 rejects peace negotiations or compromises like a two-state solution, asserting that “the land of Palestine is an Islamic trust… and Jihad is the only solution.” In 2011, Hamas leader Khaled Mashal stated that Palestine must be liberated “from the river to the sea,” a phrase interpreted as calling for Israel’s destruction, as it encompasses all of Israel’s territory.
The genocide accusation is purely political, meant to discredit Israel. It’s comparable to the left calling the J6ers “insurrectionists” when not a single J6er was convicted of insurrection. However, the U.N. General Assembly will not pass a resolution unequivocally condemning Hamas. With the evidence overwhelmingly against Hamas, it is strange that Israel is the scapegoat for genocide.