A group of experts has released a new report that critically analyzes claims that Israel committed crimes against humanity during the Israel-Gaza War. The study covers from October 7, 2023, to June 1, 2025, including intentional killings, premeditated starvation, and even "genocide." In order to separate propaganda from fact and expose structural flaws in significant worldwide communication organizations, the study employs a special combination of quantitative-statistical analysis, forensic documentation, primary sources, and comparative military history.
The authors emphasize that their objective is not legal or moral exoneration, but a rigorous factual analysis of the methodologies and evidence behind genocide claims. Accordingly, this study adheres to the highest academic and evidentiary standards. The authors do not speak for any government or political entity. The publication is forthcoming from the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University.
Among the findings, the study reveals that there is no basis for the starvation claims because more food entered Gaza during the war than before October 7, 2023. The claim that 500 aid trucks are required daily stems from a misrepresentation by UN bodies, one which has been left unchallenged and unchecked. Pre-war UN records cite an average of 73 food trucks per day in 2022. During the fighting (until January 17, 2025), the Coordination and Liaison Administration of the Gaza Strip (COGAT) recorded an average of 101 food trucks daily, whereas retroactively corrected but still incomplete UNRWA data indicated 83 food trucks per day. The study reveals that severe food shortages are being caused by Hamas' actions, which seize most of the cargo and stockpile it for trading.
As set forth in the Genocide Convention of 1948, ”the crime of genocide requires that a perpetrator kill, seriously harm, or inflict conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of a group, in whole or in part, with the intent to destroy the group as such.” However, according to the University Network for Human Rights (UNHR), a consortium of human rights centers at colleges across the world, has released its finding, “after reviewing the facts established by independent human rights monitors, journalists, and United Nations agencies, we conclude that Israel’s actions in and regarding Gaza since October 7, 2023, violate the Genocide Convention.”
To be more precise, scholars and other experts in human rights issues were willing to definitively call what was happening in Gaza a genocide. But most were hesitant, citing the high threshold required to establish genocide under international law. Several said “crimes against humanity” or “war crimes,” which hold equal weight under international law, had likely been committed, but withheld judgment on genocide.
It must be clear that Genocide requires intent. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has not found Israel guilty of genocide, and no evidence establishes a plan to annihilate Palestinians. In January and May 2024, the ICJ issued provisional measures in South Africa v. Israel. Crucially, the Court did not find that Israel is committing genocide. Instead, it ruled that some Palestinian rights under the Genocide Convention were “plausible” and ordered Israel to prevent genocidal acts, punish incitement, and enable humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has pursued charges against both Israeli and Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity — but not genocide.
It must be said that this conflict was started without Israeli provocation, years after Israel evicted all Israeli citizens from Gaza and handed the entire territory over to the Palestinians in the hope of a lasting peace. However, Hamas never ceased its hostilities against Israel and prepared for many years for an all-out aggressive operation taking place on October 7, 2023. It must be noted as well that Hamas has consistently proclaimed its goal of wiping Israel off the map and sweeping all the Jews into the sea.
Indeed, this is a cruel war. It is causing countless civilian casualties since Israel initiated retaliatory actions after the October 7 attack, perpetrated with a clear, then-genocidal purpose of exterminating in cold blood entire families, including babies, and taking hostages, most of whom have so far died in captivity, while others remain in captivity. Hamas has continued its war against Israel for the past two years at the expense of the suffering of its own population, hiding in populated areas to continue an intense urban guerrilla war.
The fact seldom mentioned in the media confirms that Israel issued mass evacuation orders and warnings from 13 October 2023 onward, using leaflets, phone calls, and UN coordination. These actions are inconsistent with a plan to exterminate civilians. Critics rightly argue these measures were and still are inadequate or coercive, but they nonetheless undermine claims of genocidal purpose.
Among many other details, the study reveals that: "Through a historical comparative analysis, we demonstrate that the war in Gaza represents one of the most complex military challenges ever faced by any Western army. Not only is the conflict being waged in an urban environment, which naturally presents significant obstacles for the offensive force and offers a multitude of defensive advantages in a three-dimensional terrain, but Hamas has also spent decades developing the most extensive subterranean tunnel network ever documented in military history. These tunnels span over 500 km and include 5,700 connective shafts, all integrated into the civilian infrastructure of the Gaza Strip."
While “the suffering of civilians in Gaza is both tragic and undeniable,” the researchers said, humanitarian discourse must remain “anchored in verifiable facts” to prevent the risk of future atrocities being overlooked.
Those interested in learning the details of this research can access the full 311-page document HERE
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