We Need Fair Accountability in the Israel-Hamas War

As the world holds its breath to see if the Israel-Hamas ceasefire will stick, some are using the possible end of the war that has devastated a civilian population to boost their social media profile. 

One activist claimed on X he “survived the Israeli #genocide” and posed in front of a ruined building with a fresh haircut, a coffee, and fashionable Western clothes. 

Photo ops like this give the lie to careless assertions of a "genocide" in Gaza. Gazans have suffered greatly, but polarizing arguments make analyzing the realities of war more complicated. 

Rather than demonizing Israel through morally freighted language, survivors on both sides would do better to consider how to lower the death toll in future clashes. Ultimately, we need a fair and rational military inquiry that scrutinizes the Israeli government’s mistakes and holds Hamas accountable for its crimes against Israelis and Palestinians.

Israel Must Do All It Can To Limit Civilian Casualties

The exact death toll in Gaza is uncertain, and estimates in the media vary. CNN places the current casualties at over 45,000 and cites a study that suggests the number may exceed 70,000. 

Limiting casualties in Gaza has proven difficult for a number of reasons. For one, Gaza has a population of 2.1 million and a population density of 5,753 people per square kilometer, making any single attack on the city highly likely to impact a great number of civilians. 

The IDF must balance protecting civilian life with military strategy in any military operation. Warning civilians may save lives today but sacrifice the effectiveness of military operations. This may lengthen the war and cause even more deaths later on.

In addition, as supporters of Israel are quick to remind the world, Hamas goes to great lengths to maximize civilian casualties. And by its own admission, Hamas intentionally puts civilians in harm’s way. Thus, even a military that is doing everything possible to avoid civilian death is still going to have a high casualty rate.

While the “human shields” argument is valid, we shouldn’t stop there. Nor should we look away from the suffering of the people of Gaza. We need reliable data and fair inquiries to assess better how to avoid future high death rates.

High Rate of Military Casualty Does Not Equate a Genocide

While casualty rates are high in Gaza, accusations of genocide against Israel may not be justifiable. 

Such accusations began long before the current war, even though the Palestinian population has “doubled about 10 times” since the formation of Israel in 1948.

After the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, these claims resounded in protests across the West, raising the question: If Jews were not involved, would the term "genocide" have been invoked at all?

The UN’s definition of genocide requires “there must be a proven intent on the part of perpetrators to physically destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” While the death toll is high, and Israel may have made some grave mistakes, the number of deaths in Gaza would be significantly higher now had genocide or “ethnic cleansing” been Israel’s intention. 

The IDF has been documented in taking action to prevent civilian deaths, like dropping leaflets to evacuate and calling civilians in harm's way to evacuate. 

Yet, there are also cases of Israel making mistakes and causing unnecessary harm. CNN reported that an IDF sniper killed two Christian women sheltering in a church. NPR reported that an IDF soldier shot three hostages that were assessed as threats. NPR also noted that the soldier was not aligned with the IDF’s rules of engagement. 

Moreover, there are conflicting reports of strikes against safe zones, possibly by the Israeli government. ABC News claimed that one such safe zone, Deir al-Balah, was struck 91 times but admitted they couldn’t verify each strike was from Israel, though they concluded it is logical to think it is the case “given the scale of bombardments.” 

When an explosion occurred at the Al-Ahli hospital in October 2023, many were quick to blame Israel. However, Human Rights Watch admitted that their report showed it was likely a rocket misfire from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. 

We need an independent investigation into each of these incidents that is not quick to blame Israel or let Gaza terrorists off the hook, but that is instead dedicated to preserving civilian lives.

Experts Are Now Trying To Redefine “Genocide”

The Guardian noted that the war has caused a sharp division in the world of Holocaust and genocide studies when academics were seen sharply disagreeing over whether Israel’s actions constituted genocide at a conference in Prague in 2023. Those who quickly want to call the Israel-Hamas war a genocide should not that there is not scholarly consensus on this issue.

Holocaust studies professor at the University of Florida Norman Goda doesn’t believe Israel is committing genocide and believes the alternative “conclusion reached by many of his colleagues masks an agenda.” It’s worth noting that many who accuse Israel of genocide often believe the state has no right to exist and demonize Israelis as “colonizers.”

The future of Gaza is uncertain, with questions over whether the current ceasefire will hold and who will govern the territory in the years to come. Saudi Arabia previously seemed willing to normalize relations with Israel if a clear path to the creation of a Palestinian state was set in motion. However, the Saudis have since made it clear that the establishment of such a state is now a prerequisite for any formal Israel-Saudi relationship.

Adding to the complexity, President Trump recently laid out a controversial plan where the United States would occupy Gaza, relocate Palestinians either temporarily or permanently, and oversee the territory’s reconstruction. 

In all of this chaos, truth must prevail. A thorough and unbiased military analysis of the conflict is essential, ensuring that all parties involved are held responsible for safeguarding human life, property, and dignity.

Aviv Nathanael Phipps is a Middle East Politics and History Fellow at Young Voices. He also works in political marketing and teaches Hebrew school in Arlington, Virginia.