This special edition of the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service presents a debate examining the contentious issue of whether war crimes have been committed in Gaza and Israel over the last 20 months, starting with the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. The panel, consisting of a human rights lawyer, an international correspondent, and Israeli and Palestinian representatives, discusses the legal definitions of war crimes and genocide, the challenges of reporting from Gaza, and the historical context of the conflict. The debate covers topics such as the proportionality of Israel's response, the withholding of aid, the actions of Hamas, and the potential for accountability, with panelists presenting differing viewpoints and interpretations of events.
