Why Gaza Cannot is not Just “War Crimes”

10 FAQ

Hamas hides among civilians” is no excuse. Gaza is densely populated — civilians cannot vanish.
International law protects them, always. Bombing homes, schools, and hospitals is not defense — it’s a war crime. Civilians are never legitimate targets.

1. What are “war crimes”?

They’re serious violations of the laws of war — like deliberately targeting civilians, bombing hospitals, or blocking food and medicine.

2. Why isn’t Gaza just about war crimes?

Because Gaza is not only a battlefield — it’s a besieged territory where civilians are systematically targeted. This goes beyond accidental violations of war.

3. Why does intent matter?

For something to be genocide, there must be an intent to destroy a people. In Gaza, the scale and pattern of attacks show more than “collateral damage.” They suggest deliberate targeting of Palestinians as a group.

4. Who are the main victims?

Mostly civilians. A majority of those killed are women and children, proving that this isn’t just about fighting Hamas.
Around 85% of Gazans have been forced from their homes — a strategy to erase Palestinian presence. Starvation: Food, water, and aid are deliberately blocked. Hunger here isn’t random — it’s policy.

5. Hamas fighters hide among the civilian population ?

6. Why is the destruction of infrastructure so important?

Hospitals, schools, water plants, and housing are bombed at huge scale. With 84% of health facilities and 70% of homes destroyed, the goal looks like making life in Gaza impossible.

7. Is this just a series of mistakes?

War crimes can be isolated incidents. But in Gaza, the destruction has been consistent for months — which suggests a systematic plan, not random accidents.

8. What role do leaders’ words play?

When politicians call for “erasing Gaza” or “wiping out Palestinians,” rhetoric makes intent clear. Words and actions reinforce each other.

9. Why do some avoid calling it genocide?

Because “genocide” carries legal obligations: states must act to stop it. Many governments stick to the safer term “war crimes” to avoid responsibility and protect alliances.

10. Who has called it genocide already?

More and more organisations do. For instance, Amnesty International (2024), the International Association of Genocide Scholars (2025).
They argue that what’s happening in Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide, not just war crimes.