The slaughter of Palestinian scholars in Gaza is a deliberate Israeli tactic

Throughout the 229 days of the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, the Israeli occupation has deliberately targeted and assassinated dozens of Palestinian scholars, scientists, academics and researchers along with their families. All were targeted while at home with their families or seeking refuge with relatives. This week, the Gaza media office released a list containing the names of 100 Palestinian researchers who the Israeli occupation has killed, including scientists, university professors and doctors.

Dr Alareer was also a social media influencer and often received threats online and by phone from Israeli accounts for his efforts to expose Israeli crimes against the Palestinians. On 6 December, 2023, Dr Alareer was assassinated in a massacre along with his brother, sister and her three children in an Israeli airstrike that targeted his sister’s apartment in northern Gaza.

Dr Tayeh, a world-renowned physicist, was ranked in the top two per cent of scientific researchers worldwide in 2021 by Stanford University in the US. He held a PhD in theoretical physics and applied mathematics. He was appointed the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) chair for physics and space sciences in Palestine in 2023. On 2 December, 2023, Israeli warplanes intentionally flattened Dr Tayeh’s home in the Al-Faluja neighbourhood of the Jabalia refugee camp in north Gaza, where he was born and raised, murdering him and his family.

According to the Geneva-based human rights organisation Euro-Med Monitor: “Given the systematic and widespread destruction by Israeli forces of cultural buildings, including institutions of great historical significance, it is highly likely that Israel is intentionally targeting every aspect of life in Gaza.”

The rights group also warned: “The attacks are creating an environment devoid of basic services and necessities and may eventually force the Strip’s population to emigrate.”