The crisis in the Middle East shows no signs of de-escalating, with Israel engaged in simultaneous conflicts on multiple fronts, including with Iran, Palestine, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Unfortunately, many innocent civilians are losing their lives in this ongoing struggle, but neither side appears ready to back down. In this context, Israel has reportedly developed a specific plan to defeat its enemies, referred to as the “Generals’ Plan.” This strategy aims to isolate northern Gaza and starve out militants in order to eliminate them. However, human rights organizations have condemned this plan as a violation of international laws.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that military operations in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza are intensifying. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are urging civilians to evacuate and move south. According to recent reports, Israel is planning to halt humanitarian aid to the region, with the strategic goal of starving out Hamas militants. However, this could also leave thousands of Palestinians without access to food and water.
A group of retired generals proposed the plan to Netanyahu and the Israeli Parliament, giving Palestinians in the northern third of the Gaza Strip one week to evacuate before declaring the area a military zone. Those who remain would be treated as combatants, and under military rules, Israeli forces would be authorized to kill them. The plan would also cut off essential supplies like food, water, medicine, and fuel to those in the region.
The “Generals’ Plan” is designed to weaken Hamas’s grip on northern Gaza by creating unbearable conditions for the civilian population and dismantling Hamas leadership. The key architect of the plan is Giora Eiland, a former head of Israel’s National Security Council, who believes that this is the only way to bring an end to the long-standing conflict and force Hamas to release any remaining Israeli hostages. Eiland stated, “We have already encircled the northern part of Gaza over the past nine or ten months. What we should do now is inform the 300,000 residents [the UN estimates 400,000] still living there that they must leave and use the safe corridors provided by Israel within 10 days. After that, the entire area will become a military zone. Any remaining Hamas fighters or civilians will have two choices—either surrender or starve to death.”
While it remains unclear whether the Israeli government will fully adopt this plan, some aspects may already be in motion. Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani has denied the existence of such a plan, but an official familiar with the situation hinted that parts of the plan are being implemented, though did not specify which ones. Another Israeli official confirmed that Netanyahu had reviewed the plan along with other proposals, but there has been no indication of official approval.
Meanwhile, Israel has already tightened its control over northern Gaza. Last week, Israeli forces launched a new assault on Hamas fighters in the Jabalia refugee camp, located north of Gaza City. The United Nations reported that no trucks carrying food, water, or medicine had entered the region this month, leading to increased hardship for Palestinians in the north.
The “Generals’ Plan” has sparked international concern, particularly among human rights groups, who warn that it could result in widespread civilian suffering and potentially violate international laws, which prohibit the use of food as a weapon of war. The United States has also opposed any plan that would lead to direct Israeli occupation of Gaza, with a State Department spokesperson stating that such steps would not have U.S. support.
