Israeli Strikes Kill 31 as Scholars Allege Genocide

Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling rocked Gaza City, killing at least 31 people, including over half women and children, as part of a major offensive launched after declaring the city a combat zone, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The relentless bombardment, which included explosive-laden robots demolishing buildings in the Jabaliya refugee camp, has intensified the humanitarian crisis, with residents like Saeed Abu Elaish, a medic from Jabaliya, describing “another merciless night in Gaza City.” The ministry reports 63,557 Palestinians killed and 160,660 wounded since the war began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, 48 of whom remain in Gaza, with about 20 believed alive.

Amid the violence, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, with 500 members including Holocaust experts, accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing policies meeting the legal definition under the UN’s 1948 Genocide Convention. The resolution, backed by 86% of voting members, also alleges crimes against humanity and war crimes. Melanie O’Brien, the group’s president and a professor at the University of Western Australia, told the Associated Press, “Experts in genocide see this situation for what it is.” Israel vehemently denies the claims, calling them “an embarrassment” based on “Hamas’ lies,” asserting it targets only militants in self-defense and blames Hamas for operating in densely populated areas.

The accusations echo earlier claims by Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel in July 2025, marking a rare stance by local Jewish-led organizations, though not reflective of mainstream Israeli views. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have similarly labeled Israel’s actions as genocidal, pointing to mass displacement, starvation tactics, and infrastructure destruction. Gaza faces a dire famine, exacerbated by Israel’s blockade and repeated displacements, with the world’s leading food crisis authority confirming catastrophic conditions last month.

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In Israel, thousands attended the funeral of Idan Shtivi, one of two hostages whose remains were recovered last week, with mourners like Ami Dagan from Rishon Letzion expressing fury at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for failing to secure a ceasefire and hostage release. “No one says enough,” Dagan said, reflecting growing public frustration, with mass protests swelling over accusations that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political gain. Ruti Taro, another mourner, called the situation “a horror” and an insult to hostages and soldiers.

Meanwhile, the Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising 20 boats from 44 countries, including activist Greta Thunberg, set sail from Barcelona on September 1 after a storm delay. Aimed at symbolically breaking Israel’s blockade, the flotilla faces likely interception, as have all previous attempts, with Israel citing security needs to prevent arms smuggling while claiming alternative aid channels exist. However, tightened food restrictions in northern Gaza have worsened the crisis, drawing global condemnation as the conflict, now in its 692nd day, continues to devastate lives and spark debates over accountability and justice.

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