Israel/ Netanyahu/ Gaza/ humanitarian aid/ Hamas/ evacuation/ starvation/ international law/ Gaza blockade plan/ Gaza evacuation order/ Israel aid restrictions/ JERUSALEM/ Morning Edition/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a proposal to block all aid to northern Gaza, forcing civilians to evacuate or risk starvation. Under the plan, those who remain would be deemed combatants, potentially escalating the humanitarian crisis. Human rights groups warn this approach could violate international law.
Israel’s Northern Gaza Evacuation and Aid Blockade: Quick Looks
- Generals’ Proposal: Ex-generals suggest cutting off aid to northern Gaza to weaken Hamas.
- Evacuation Orders: Palestinians in northern Gaza are told to evacuate within a week.
- Humanitarian Crisis: Aid reductions have left hundreds of thousands without essentials.
- International Law Concerns: Critics argue the plan could violate rights against forced starvation.
- US Stance: The U.S. opposes any occupation or reduction of Gaza’s territory by Israel.
- Limited Aid Flow: UN reports significant aid decline to Gaza’s north since early October.
Netanyahu Mulls to Starve Hamas, Sparks Gaza Aid Crisis
Deep Look
As the Gaza conflict intensifies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is evaluating a proposal that would effectively seal off humanitarian aid to the northern Gaza Strip, a move aimed at isolating Hamas militants but likely to place hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians at risk. This plan, if enacted, would issue a one-week evacuation deadline to all northern residents, including Gaza City, after which Israel would declare the region a closed military zone. Palestinians who remain would be classified as combatants under military regulations, effectively losing access to essential supplies like food, water, fuel, and medical care.
The proposal, dubbed the “Generals’ Plan,” was presented by a group of retired Israeli military generals and strategists as a solution to weaken Hamas’s hold on northern Gaza and facilitate the release of Israeli hostages. According to its chief architect, former National Security Council head Giora Eiland, the approach aims to starve Hamas into submission, stating, “They will either have to surrender or starve.”
Humanitarian and Legal Concerns
Human rights groups have voiced concerns about the plan’s humanitarian implications, noting that it could contravene international laws prohibiting the use of starvation as a weapon. The International Court of Justice, which is currently examining genocide allegations against Israel, could see this move as evidence if the plan is enacted. Israel refutes any allegations of intending to starve Gaza residents, emphasizing its military focus on targeting Hamas.
On Monday, a coalition of Israeli NGOs issued a public appeal, urging the international community to intervene, fearing that “quiet implementation” of the plan could result in significant loss of life. The coalition warned, “A ‘wait and see’ approach will enable Israel to liquidate northern Gaza.”
Evacuation Complications and Civilian Resistance
Evacuation orders, initially given at the beginning of the war, have seen limited compliance as civilians fear conditions in southern Gaza, where previous evacuees report overcrowded shelters and recurring airstrikes. Jomana Elkhalili, a Palestinian aid worker, noted the dilemma faced by civilians: “People in the north say it’s better to die than to leave,” citing a lack of safety in the south and no guarantee of returning home if they leave.
Eiland suggests that the drastic reduction in supplies would eventually force Hamas to release around 100 hostages, including at least 30 believed dead. However, as rockets continue to reach Tel Aviv, Hamas’s strength remains resilient even as the conflict endures. Despite the potential efficacy of the blockade strategy, critics, including Gisha director Tania Hary, condemn any policy assuming all non-evacuated civilians are combatants, labeling this perspective a “gross misinterpretation” of military engagement protocols.
Declining Aid and Blocked Escape Routes
Northern Gaza has faced significant aid restrictions since October 1, with aid deliveries reduced from 60 trucks per day to about 80 total trucks over the last two weeks. Although the Israeli government denies fully closing crossings, the UN reports only sporadic and limited aid deliveries, including one fuel shipment for hospitals. Approximately 400,000 residents are effectively trapped, and conditions are worsening as food supplies dwindle and checkpoints restrict movement.
Senior UN official Philippe Lazzarini expressed alarm, stating, “Hunger is spreading” in northern Gaza, where the only existing pathways out of the area have been mostly blocked. Medical staff report that roads are now split by checkpoints, with access tightly controlled and limited primarily to individuals deemed “essential.”
U.S. and International Response
The United States has openly rejected any proposal involving the direct occupation of Gaza by Israeli forces or a reduction of Gaza’s territorial integrity, emphasizing its opposition to any forced transfer of Palestinian populations. Matthew Miller, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, reiterated Washington’s stance against occupation, underscoring international disapproval of any efforts that may alter Gaza’s current borders.
Netanyahu, who has read and considered the proposal, has not yet moved to adopt the plan fully. While Israeli officials maintain that they have not officially acted on it, anonymous sources indicate that portions of the strategy might already be in effect.
Hostility on Multiple Fronts
With the Israeli military already stretched thin, Netanyahu has faced renewed security concerns as conflict has spread to include Hezbollah, leading Israel to launch an invasion into southern Lebanon. The conflict’s toll continues to climb, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting over 42,000 Palestinian deaths, although the ministry does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties.
The humanitarian crisis appears poised to worsen as international organizations face restricted access to deliver aid, and Gaza’s hospitals report overwhelming patient loads. The Generals’ Plan, if implemented, would likely exacerbate an already critical situation, drawing further scrutiny and condemnation from the global community as civilians and combatants alike endure the effects of prolonged conflict.
