Albanian scholar Silvana Toska calls Gaza war a genocide

Associate professor Silvana Toska of Davidson College, an expert on the Holocaust and genocide studies, said that historian Omer Bartov now concludes the war in Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide. She cited Israel’s alleged plans to relocate the entire Gaza population as evidence of intent to destroy a distinct ethnic group.

Toska criticised the disproportionate Israeli military response that has, according to Palestinian authorities, caused over 73,000 casualties. She also linked the conflict to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political strategy, accusing him of bolstering extremist coalition partners and using the war to shield himself from corruption investigations. The academic noted that international courts, including the International Criminal Court, have issued arrest warrants related to the Gaza fighting.

In the interview she discussed broader regional implications, such as the war’s impact on Iran, the role of humanitarian aid flotillas, and Albania’s position as a member of the UN‑established Gaza Peace Board.