Victor Davis Hanson argues Israel did not commit genocide in Gaza?

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Hanson's conclusion is commentary on an ongoing legal debate; while his population and rocket figures are supported by reports, UN inquiries have concluded Israel committed genocidal acts. Victor Davis Hanson argues that Israel did not commit genocide in Gaza, citing Gaza's population growth from 1.4 million in 2005 to 2.2 million in 2023 and Hamas launching thousands of rockets. While demographic and rocket counts broadly align with records from Amnesty International and official statistics, UN inquiry commissions and Amnesty International concluded that Israeli authorities committed genocidal acts, a charge Israel denies.

3 claims checked
3 sources
Checked 29 Oct 2026
Main source: Amnesty International (Author): “The State of the World's Human Rights; Palestine (State of) 2023”, Document #2107979 - Ecoi

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The Reel we checked

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Victor Davis Hanson: Israel Did Not Committ ‘Genocide’ in Gaza After October 7th, Hamas, and its Palestinian backers, had 20 days to come to an agreement and…

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What we checked

They answered with 13,000 rockets aimed at Israeli civilians.“Around 12,000 rockets were fired from October towards Israel, killing 15 people there.”Amnesty International (Author): “The State of the World's Human Rights; Palestine (State of) 2023”, Document #2107979 - Ecoi

The population of Gaza increased by 1 million people in a mere 20 years.“In 2005, when the Israelis left Gaza, there were roughly 1.4 million Gazans. When Hamas attacked Israel in 2023, that population had soared in less than two decades to 2.2 million.”Victor Davis Hanson What Might Have Saved Gaza

After October 7th, Hamas and its Palestinian backers had 20 days to come to an agreement, turn over perpetrators, and give back hostages, but they refused.No reliable source found for this yet.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

The reel omits that international human rights organizations and a UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded Israel committed genocidal acts in Gaza.
A UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded Israeli authorities committed genocidal acts with genocidal intent in Gaza (Dawn, Reuters).
Amnesty International concluded in December 2024 that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza (Amnesty International).

Short version

🌗 PARTLY TRUE 👉 Victor Davis Hanson argues that Israel did not commit genocide in Gaza, citing Gaza's population growth from 1.4 million in 2005 to 2.2 million in 2023 and Hamas launching thousands of rockets. 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat