Israel’s Genocide in Gaza Can No Longer Be Justified as Self-Defense Against Hamas

In the spring, Israel launched a limited-time and limited-scale operation against Iran that bolstered its military reputation. The campaign in Gaza has been the opposite: endless, aimless, and marked by staggering civilian casualties. It is eroding the moral foundation of Israel’s right to self-defense and provoking growing revulsion—even among allies. This editorial board has called for a cease-fire since 2024. Now, after weeks of failed negotiations in Qatar, the United States must bring its full political weight to bear to end the war. Doing so is essential to avert famine—and critical to the future of the Israeli state itself, in the hope of forming a Gaza administration without Hamas.

The territory lies in ruins: over 60% of buildings are destroyed, and two million people are displaced—most now crowded into the central zone. In 2024, the projected famine was narrowly avoided; now, it is a reality. Israel has sought to replace the UN and other international agencies with private logistics, but the volume of aid remains negligible. Even those waiting for convoys continue to die of hunger—because delivery is physically impossible amid combat, landmines, and firefights involving Israeli troops, armed gangs, and remnants of Hamas.

Hundreds of Palestinians have already died at food distribution points controlled by the Israeli military—shot with live rounds fired to disperse desperate crowds. Images of emaciated children with protruding ribs and sunken eyes have gone global. Doctors in Gaza confirm cases of death from starvation.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that "what is happening has exceeded the international community’s worst fears." According to him, "Israel’s refusal to allow aid and the killing of civilians, including children who are simply seeking food and water, cannot be justified or ignored." He called for immediate access to Gaza for UN representatives and humanitarian missions. He was followed by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Carney described Israel’s actions as "a failure to prevent an impending humanitarian catastrophe" and stressed that the blockade of aid is a clear violation of international law. Starmer added: "The suffering and starvation in Gaza are indescribable—and indefensible."

The three countries spoke out after joining a statement by 28 nations and the EU condemning "the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians."

The Israeli government denies responsibility and accuses humanitarian organizations of "echoing Hamas talking points." Spokesman David Mencer insists that "there is no famine caused by Israel" and blames Hamas for the crisis. But even allies are no longer accepting these justifications. Israel’s military operation began after the Hamas-led attack in October 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage. Since then, however, the campaign has lost all proportionality: according to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of children. While the figures do not distinguish between civilians and fighters, that distinction is increasingly meaningless amid the destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools.

France became the first G7 country to express readiness to recognize a Palestinian state. President Emmanuel Macron emphasized: "What matters most today is securing an end to the war in Gaza and delivering aid to the civilian population."

Meanwhile, negotiations in Qatar between Israel, Hamas, and the United States are once again in jeopardy. On Thursday, the Israeli delegation and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff withdrew from the talks. A cease-fire grows more distant, and the humanitarian catastrophe deepens.