Is this too graphic for a YA novel?

I think you're more likely to get flak for the language than the actions. If you're intending to go the traditional publishing route, your agent or publisher will flag it if it's too much. Just focus on telling the story you want to tell for now.

That's very graphic. There are many ways to show how bad genocide is without using that particular example. There are other YA novels that cover this topic, have you read them? Does this scene seem similar to what you have read in other YA novels in terms of how graphic it is? Maybe it's better just to write what you want to write and categorize it later. Would it be bad to write an adult novel? Too graphic for me.

At that age, kids have heard and probably read worse.

However, a talented writer can often get their point across without resorting to too much swearing and graphic detail. The most important thing is that you set the scene right and show the reader what is going on--make them picture it.

I think it's too graphic for an adult novel.

Pick up a copy of the popular "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. I think that is a good average for limits in a YA novel, certainly in language.

Here's the thing, stuff like that, it's usual aim is to make the reader think "That's so awful" and to feel somewhat upset about it. That just sounds like unnecessary grossness. Also it sounds unrealistic; soldiers wouldn't be that freaky. It's a bit crude. So while it's not too graphic, I really don't think you should include it personally.

Yes. I am around that age range and I would not read it. Or if I picked it up by mistake I'd put it down. Plus, I know that genocide is bad...I don't some author preaching to me.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm................yes