Genocide, urbicide, domicide – how to talk about Israel’s war on Gaza

Amjad Al-Kanoo, who suffers from malnutrition, is held by his mother, Nada, as they wait to be transferred for treatment outside Gaza [File: Mohamed Salem/Reuters]

South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza – and 12 other countries have backed the case.

“Genocide” is a legal term that has been increasingly used to describe what Israel is doing in Gaza as it kills more people, a figure nearing 40,000.