Is Israel committing ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Gaza?

Beirut, Lebanon – Israeli and Palestinian commentators and foreign officials are using the term “ethnic cleansing” to describe what Israel is doing in Gaza.

Israel has reportedly entirely blocked humanitarian aid from entering northern Gaza, escalated bombardments of refugee camps and hospitals, and called on all remaining inhabitants of the area to flee south.

Israel’s military spokesperson Itzik Cohen said nobody who leaves the north will be able to return.

United Nations agencies estimated that 69,000 to 100,000 people are still in northern Gaza.

The Israeli daily Haaretz has referred to Israel’s campaign as “ethnic cleansing”.