Introduction1
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. Hamas stated that it is as a reaction to the ongoing occupation and oppression of Palestinians in Gaza. This reaction is part of a broader historical context where Gaza is often described as an open-air prison due to Israeli control over its borders and resources.2
The Israeli response, characterized by devastating military action, has been criticized for being counterproductive and morally questionable, as it has led to increased public opposition to Israel’s policies in many countries such as the UK, the U.S.,3 and Türkiye.4 Significant breaches of international humanitarian law led the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in February 2024 to determine that there was a plausible case for the existence of a genocide.5
One element, cited as evidence supporting the accusation of genocide, is the statements by people in power clearly guiding the war towards civilians. In a nutshell, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog argued that “all Gazans are Hamas” and the former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant argued that they are dealing with “human-animals.”6 These arguments are intended to blur the distinctions between civilians and combatants in Gaza. Such rhetoric is as dehumanizing and collective in nature, raising concerns under international humanitarian law, which emphasizes the protection of civilians in conflict and prohibits actions targeting populations based on group identity. However, this is not specific to the war after October 7. It has been a constant feature of Israeli
