Gaza War Labeled as Genocide by International Genocide Scholars Association: Historic Decision from the Association Regarding Israel's Conflict

The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) has made a shocking declaration, labelling Israel's policies and actions in Gaza as genocide under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. This assertion comes amidst the most devastating escalation in a history of unbroken violence in the region.

The IAGS resolution, drafted on July 28, 2025, outlines the atrocities committed in Gaza, including mass killings, starvation and denial of aid, forced displacement, systematic destruction, and targeting of health workers and infrastructure. Over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 143,000 injured as of July 2025, according to UN data. heartbreaking statistics that include over 50,000 children among the dead or wounded.

The IAGS president, Melanie O'Brien, stated that the current offensive in Gaza is genocide. This declaration follows the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declaring famine conditions in Gaza Governorate in August 2025, affecting over half a million people. Convoys of aid have been blocked, and civilians seeking food have been targeted in deadly strikes.

The history of Gaza is marked by decades of occupation, blockade, and repeated military assaults. The 1948 Nakba, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were expelled, marked the beginning of Gaza's population swelling with refugees. This tragic event set the stage for the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the region.

In a significant move, South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 29, 2023. So far, it remains the only country to have officially accused Israel of crimes against humanity and violations of the Genocide Convention in Gaza.

In August 2025, the ICJ reaffirmed humanitarian orders, and in November of the same year, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant over crimes in Gaza. These actions demonstrate a growing international concern and push for accountability in the region.

On Aug. 31, 2025, the IAGS voted in favour of the resolution, further solidifying the global community's call for justice and an end to the violence in Gaza. The resolution affirms that the destruction of Gaza is not an aberration of war but the continuation of a decades-long campaign of dispossession and violence stretching back to 1948.

As the world watches, the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, with the hope that this declaration by the IAGS will be a catalyst for lasting peace and justice in the region. The international community must come together to address these grave violations and work towards a future where the people of Gaza can live in safety and dignity.

Gaza War Labeled as Genocide by International Genocide Scholars Association: Historic Decision from the Association Regarding Israel's Conflict