DaysofPal- The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), which includes over 500 members, has issued an official statement confirming that Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip constitute genocide under the legal definition outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948.
The resolution, approved by 86% of the members, stated that the Israeli occupation has carried out actions including the mass killing of civilians, deliberate deprivation of food and medicine, forced displacement of the population, and deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, noting that these acts also constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law.
This decision comes as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) investigates a case filed by South Africa against the Israeli occupation, calling for an immediate halt to public incitement of genocide and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza.
This marks the tenth time in the association’s history that an event has been officially classified as genocide, reflecting a growing international academic consensus on Israeli crimes in Gaza.
The Hamas Movement welcomed the decision, considering it a sign of support for their claims in international courts.
The announcement comes amid more than two years of continued Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, including thousands of children, alongside widespread famine, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and a severe blockade that has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.
The resolution is seen as a significant step that increases international pressure on the Israeli occupation and highlights ongoing violations in Gaza, calling on the international community to take urgent measures to halt abuses and protect civilians, including the provision of humanitarian aid and ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law.
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