In a controversial move, Israel has unveiled plans to implement a “Surrender or Starve” strategy in northern Gaza. This tactic aims to exert maximum pressure on Hamas by forcing civilians to flee the region or face a siege that would cut off access to food, water, and essential supplies. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been intensifying their military campaign in Gaza, and this new approach is seen as part of a broader effort to break the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Plan’s Origins and Objectives
The “Surrender or Starve” strategy is inspired by what has come to be known as the Generals’ Plan, proposed by a group of retired Israeli military officers led by Maj-Gen (ret) Giora Eiland, a former national security adviser. The plan targets the northern part of Gaza, an area that remains heavily populated despite repeated Israeli attacks and airstrikes over the past year.
According to Eiland, the plan involves giving the remaining 400,000 civilians in northern Gaza ten days to evacuate to safer areas in the south. After this window, Israel would declare the northern region a military zone, with anyone remaining being treated as a potential enemy combatant. The core of the plan is to starve Hamas into surrender by blocking all supplies, thereby forcing them and any remaining civilians to surrender or face starvation.
The Israeli government and military argue that this move is necessary to weaken Hamas, which has continued to pose a significant threat to Israeli security. Officials believe that by increasing pressure on the civilian population in Hamas-controlled areas, they can force the group into submission.
Warnings and Evacuations
On Saturday, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman issued a message on social media warning residents in the D5 area of northern Gaza to evacuate. The message described the area as a “dangerous combat zone” and urged people to move south via Salah al-Din Road, Gaza’s main north-south highway. The message also included a map showing the evacuation route, marked by a large yellow arrow.
The IDF has been targeting several areas of northern Gaza with airstrikes, artillery bombardments, and ground operations, warning that this campaign will continue for an extended period. The area, previously an urban heartland with a population of over 1.4 million, has been hit hard by the conflict. Many residents have fled south, but around 400,000 people remain in northern Gaza, either because they are unable or unwilling to leave. Some residents, particularly those with vulnerable family members, have chosen to stay behind, despite the risks.
The Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian consequences of Israel’s new strategy are dire. Northern Gaza’s hospitals are running low on fuel and medical supplies, making it difficult to treat the large number of wounded civilians. Airstrikes have damaged several hospitals, compounding the medical crisis. According to the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations, the blockade on food, water, and essential supplies is turning Gaza into an increasingly uninhabitable zone.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that the conflict is having a disastrous impact on food security in Gaza. Since early October, no food aid has entered the northern part of the territory, and mobile kitchens and bakeries have been forced to close due to airstrikes. The only functioning bakery in northern Gaza was hit by an explosive munition, leaving the area with limited access to food.
In response to the IDF’s warnings, Hamas has issued its own messages, advising residents of northern Gaza not to evacuate. Hamas argues that the southern areas are just as dangerous, citing Israeli airstrikes in the south as evidence. Additionally, Hamas has warned that residents who leave their homes in the north will not be allowed to return.
International Reactions and Criticism
The “Surrender or Starve” tactic has drawn widespread international criticism. Humanitarian organizations, including the UN, have condemned the move as a violation of international humanitarian law. Under the laws of war, parties to a conflict must protect civilians and ensure that they have access to essential supplies such as food, water, and medical care.
Medical Aid for Palestinians has highlighted evidence suggesting that civilians in Gaza, including women and children, are being targeted by direct attacks. Liz Allcock, the head of protection at the organization, has stated that many wounded civilians are being treated for injuries that indicate deliberate targeting.
The Broader Conflict
The Israeli government remains divided on the best way to resolve the ongoing conflict with Hamas. While some, like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, advocate for the full occupation of Gaza to eliminate Hamas and replace the Palestinian population with Jewish settlers, others support a less extreme approach. Despite the differences in opinion, the Israeli military continues to push forward with its plan to enforce mass evacuations and siege tactics in northern Gaza, with the ultimate aim of securing a victory over Hamas.
Whether the “Surrender or Starve” strategy will succeed in bringing the conflict to an end remains to be seen, but the immediate humanitarian impact on Gaza’s civilians is undeniable.
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