75 American military personnel and lawyers: Israel did not commit genocide in Gaza

More than 75 retired American officers and military lawyers have signed an open letter rejecting accusations of genocide against Israel in Gaza. The authors, including former high-ranking commanders, argue that civilian casualties alone do not prove genocidal intent and cite IDF measures to protect civilians.

More than 75 retired American officers and military lawyers have signed an open letter rejecting accusations that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The letter, published on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the third anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, was prepared by the American Institute for Jewish National Security (JINSA). Signatories include former senior commanders: General Philip Breedlove (former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe), General James Amos (former Commandant of the Marine Corps), General Kevin Chilton (former commander of U.S. Strategic Command), Admiral John Miller (former commander of the 5th Fleet), and Admiral Mark Fox (former deputy commander of CENTCOM). The authors cite the 1948 Genocide Convention, arguing that specific intent must be proven for actions to qualify as genocide. They present an operational analysis of Israel's measures to protect civilians: advance warnings, evacuation instructions, protected corridors, tactical pauses, and legal review of targets. The signatories criticize reliance on Hamas casualty data, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The letter comes amid proceedings in the International Court of Justice regarding South Africa's case against Israel. The authors' main argument is that the distortion of the laws of war in accusations against Israel could create a precedent affecting U.S. military personnel.