Lawyer Ahmad Ibsais claims Israel's attacks on women constitute genocide

Lawyer Ahmad Ibsais claims that Israel’s attacks on Palestinian women in Gaza constitute genocide. He said the Israeli military has deliberately targeted women’s shelters, maternity wards and homes, making the killing of women a central element of the war. Ibsais notes that more than 73,000 Palestinians have died since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in October 2023, including tens of thousands of women and children. He argues that the systematic nature of these attacks meets the legal definition of genocide under international law. The claim follows a wave of reports from human rights groups that Gaza’s civilian population is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe.

The war began on 7 October after an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip. Israel has responded with a blockade and a campaign of air and ground attacks that have devastated the region’s infrastructure. The United Nations has described the situation as a potential war crime, and the International Criminal Court has opened a preliminary investigation into possible crimes committed in Gaza. Women and children have been disproportionately affected, with many hospitals overwhelmed and maternity wards destroyed. Ibsais points to evidence that Israeli forces have repeatedly struck sites where women and children were known to be sheltering, suggesting intent rather than collateral damage.

Ibsais’s argument is supported by satellite images and eyewitness accounts that show the destruction of women’s shelters and the killing of pregnant women. He cited a report from the Palestinian Center for Human Rights that documents at least 1,200 women killed since the conflict began. Israeli officials have denied any intentional targeting of women, describing their operations as aimed at Hamas militants. Human rights groups have called for an independent inquiry, and the Palestinian Authority has urged the United Nations to take stronger action. The International Criminal Court’s preliminary report indicates that the evidence is sufficient to open a full investigation into potential genocide and war crimes.

If the ICC opens a formal case, it could lead to charges against Israeli military leaders and officials. The United Nations Human Rights Council has already called for an independent investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza. The international community is watching closely as the conflict continues. The outcome could influence future peace negotiations and shape the legal accountability of states in armed conflict.