The Hamas-Israel War has devastated Gaza and displaced its people. It could result in expulsions in the West Bank over time. Is it a genocide?
In late December, South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) arguing that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in its crackdown against Hamas in Gaza. Responding to South Africa’s suit, Israel’s foreign ministry blamed Hamas for the suffering of Palestinians by using them as human shields and stealing humanitarian aid from them, accusations that Hamas has denied.
Furthermore, the International Criminal Court (ICC), is separately investigating alleged atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank. However, Israel is not a member of the ICC and rejects its jurisdiction.