Genocide is the wrong word and the distinction matters

Raphael Lemkin authored the term ‘genocide’ to define and describe the most egregious crime: the erasure of a human group because of who they are as such. 

This is the key requirement that renders the term ‘genocide’ different from other war crimes. It is a particular form of mass killing that Lemkin wanted segregated for special attention and careful definition. Its clarity lies in its simplicity. 

Armenians, Jews, Tutsi, Yazidis were all targeted for extermination because of who they were. These were genocides. 

If all mass killings were encompassed within the term genocide, it would render the term meaningless. War crimes, massacres, mass killings, crimes against humanity are defined separately.  In the case of genocide, intention is key.  

Israel's target in Gaza has always been Hamas. The proof that this is not genocide is in Israel’s actions and lack of intent to target Palestinians because of who they are. 

Genocidaires (those who commit genocide) do not notify their intended victims to relocate to ‘areas of safety’ (successfully or otherwise). Genocidaires actively drive their targeted group to their death through deliberately planned methods designed to lead to the demise of the intended group. 

Lists of intended victims are often drawn up, victims are sent instructions to arrive at a collection point or their houses are marked or they are systematically hunted down - every single one without exception is the aim – identified, rounded up or evicted from their homes, before being forcibly marched into the desert without food or water or to collection points – where they can be routinely or systematically worked to death, clubbed, beaten, macheted, summarily shot, hanged or gassed.