Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday left at least 31 people dead as the military pushed forward with its offensive in the territory’s largest city, according to health officials. At the same time, leading genocide scholars accused Israel of committing genocide, charges the Israeli government strongly denies.
Explosions from artillery and airstrikes shook Gaza City after Israel declared it a combat zone last week. Residents in Jabaliya refugee camp and the city’s outskirts said explosive-laden robots were being used to destroy buildings.
“Another merciless night in Gaza City,” said Saeed Abu Elaish, a medic originally from Jabaliya who is sheltering in the city’s northwest.
Health officials reported that at least 31 people were killed Monday, more than half of them women and children. Thirteen deaths occurred in Gaza City, which has been repeatedly targeted since Hamas-led militants launched the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war.
Israel insists its operations are aimed at militants and says Hamas is responsible for civilian deaths because it operates in crowded neighborhoods.
Gaza under siege: war and hunger
Gaza City residents, many uprooted multiple times, now face both conflict and famine. The world’s top food-crisis authority declared last month that Gaza is in the grip of famine — a crisis worsened by Israel’s blockade, mass displacement, and the collapse of local food production.
Since the war began, 63,557 Palestinians have been killed and 160,660 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. While the ministry does not separate civilians from fighters, it says women and children account for about half of the dead. The ministry, run by Hamas but staffed by health professionals, is considered by U.N. agencies and experts to provide the most credible figures, though Israel disputes them and has not offered its own count.
On Oct. 7, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages. Forty-eight captives remain in Gaza, with Israel believing around 20 are alive.
Genocide accusations escalate
On Monday, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the world’s largest body of experts in the field, declared that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Israel — founded after the Holocaust in which 6 million Jews and others were killed — strongly rejects the charge. It maintains that it seeks to minimize civilian harm and is waging a defensive war after Hamas’ attack, which Israel calls genocidal in nature.
The association’s resolution stated that “Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide,” as well as crimes against humanity and war crimes. The resolution passed with support from 86% of members who voted. Voting details were not disclosed.
“People who are experts in the study of genocide can see this situation for what it is,” said Melanie O’Brien, the association’s president and professor of international law at the University of Western Australia.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the declaration as “an embarrassment to the legal profession and to any academic standard,” saying it was “entirely based on Hamas’ campaign of lies.”
In July, the Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel also accused Israel of genocide — the first time Jewish-led organizations inside the country had used the term. International human rights organizations have made similar accusations.
Grief and anger at hostage funeral
Thousands attended the funeral of Idan Shtivi, one of two hostages whose remains were retrieved last week. A private ceremony was held for the other, Ilan Weiss.
Some mourners lashed out at the government for failing to secure a deal with Hamas to end the war and bring the hostages home.
“It is very, very infuriating that no one, no one from this government stands up and says enough,” said Ami Dagan, a mourner from Rishon Letzion.
“It’s a horror, it’s profound sadness and grief beyond words to describe the anger, the insult to the hostages, the insult to the fallen, the insult to the soldiers sent once again to Gaza," said Ruti Taro, another mourner. “No one knows why, except for the power-hungry ruler.”
Criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has grown, with many Israelis accusing him of prolonging the war for political survival. Large-scale protests demanding a ceasefire and hostage release have surged in recent weeks.
Flotilla departs Barcelona after storm delay
Meanwhile, an activist flotilla aiming to break Israel’s blockade set sail again from Barcelona after stormy weather forced a temporary return to port.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, involving about 20 boats with participants from 44 countries, includes climate activist Greta Thunberg. She had joined a previous flotilla in July that was intercepted by Israel.
This is the largest attempt yet to symbolically challenge Israel’s blockade, though past efforts have all been stopped at sea. Israel says the blockade is necessary to block weapons shipments to Hamas, insisting aid can reach Gaza through other means.
As the latest offensive in Gaza City continues, Israel has further restricted food deliveries to northern Gaza.