The president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars confirmed that the group has passed a resolution declaring Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide. Israel has not yet responded to the statement but has previously rejected such accusations.
Israel is advancing a plan to seize full control of the Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City, aiming to eliminate Hamas and rescue the 48 hostages still held nearly two years into the conflict.
Residents of Sheikh Radwan in Gaza City reported that Israeli forces deployed old armored vehicles into the neighborhood before detonating them remotely, destroying homes and forcing more families to flee. Leaflets dropped by Israel’s military urged civilians to evacuate south, warning that the offensive would expand westward.
“It was a night of horror,” said 55-year-old resident Mohammad Abu Abdallah. “Explosions never stopped, drones never stopped hovering. Many people left their homes fearing death, while others didn’t know where to go.”
The Gaza health ministry reported at least 98 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in the past 24 hours. Additionally, nine people—including three children—died from malnutrition and starvation, bringing the total deaths from hunger-related causes to at least 348, including 127 children. Israel disputes these figures, attributing them to other medical issues.
Local health officials said 19 civilians, including women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on houses in Gaza City. The Israeli military has not commented on those reports.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet Sunday to discuss a new offensive on Gaza City, which he has called Hamas’s stronghold. Military leaders have warned such operations could put remaining hostages at risk, as protests inside Israel grow louder demanding both an end to the war and the release of captives.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 251 hostages. Of the 48 hostages still held, 20 are believed alive.
Since then, Gaza’s health authorities say Israel’s campaign has killed more than 63,000 people, most of them civilians, while leaving the enclave devastated and in deep humanitarian crisis.
