Allegations of genocide in the October 7 attacks

Allegations have been made that the October 7 attacks was conducted with genocidal intent toward Israelis, and that it constituted a genocide or a genocidal massacre (or a wave of such massacres). In the course of the assault, Palestinian militants attacked communities, a music festival, and military bases in the region of southern Israel known as the Gaza envelope. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,163 Israelis and foreigners, two thirds of whom were civilians.

Various legal experts and genocide studies scholars cite a multitude of reasonings for their allegation of genocide, including claims that victims were targeted for their Israeli-Jewish identity, that Hamas still adheres to the antisemitic language of its founding charter, or that the alleged intent to destroy the Israeli people "in part" fits the legal definition of genocide. Comparisons of the attack to the Holocaust have been made. Criticisms against the allegation include citing the taking of hostages as proof that there was no genocidal intent, or that the attack was likely intended to kill and instill fear in Israelis, instead of destroy them.

A legal complaint that Hamas committed genocide was brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2023. An ICC arrest warrant for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif claimed that the group committed extermination.