Hamas’s attack against Israel and Israel’s subsequent response is once again leading to debates on the words journalists and others use. While some have labeled Hamas a terrorist organization, others have said Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to terrorism and even genocide. Some news outlets, like the CBC and the BBC, have explained how they approach using words like “terrorist” and “terrorism.”
Hamas and Israel have gone to war before. But this time, the violence against civilians is particularly brutal. Reports state an explosion at a Gaza hospital on Oct. 17 killed at least 500 people, with that number expected to rise. Israeli officials have denied responsibility for the incident, blaming Palestinian armed groups in Gaza.
So far, the Health Ministry in Gaza has said around 3,000 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes. The number of people killed in Hamas’s attack on Israel stands at 1,400, most of whom were civilians, according to Israeli authorities.
