US Senator Bernie Sanders calls Israel's war on Gaza a genocide

US Senator Bernie Sanders has stated that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, an acknowledgement that comes nearly two years into the war. His statement followed a United Nations report that reached the same conclusion, with Sanders citing the clear intent of Israeli leaders. Progressives have criticized the senator for his previous refusal to use the term, as he had instead described the situation as "ethnic cleansing" and "war crimes." While affirming Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas, Sanders argued that Israel has waged an all-out war against the entire Palestinian population.