Jewish leaders in Maine have issued a statement objecting to calling Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide, arguing that the term is fueling antisemitism in Maine (“Maine Jewish leaders push back on Gaza genocide accusation against Israel,” Aug. 3). But a deliberation over words should not distract us from the reality on the ground in Gaza. Chillingly, international doctors returning from Gaza reported the deliberate targeting of children by snipers, evidenced by highly precise gunshot wounds to the head and chest. Finally, perhaps the most egregious falsehood in the statement is that “Israel currently maintains a ceasefire while facilitating food and medicine into Gaza.” Apparently maintaining a ceasefire means continuing to bomb Gaza: since signing the ceasefire agreement last October, Israel has killed over 1,000 people, a quarter of them children.