Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly considering a plan to forcibly displace 300,000 Palestinian civilians from northern Gaza, including Gaza City, according to a former Israeli military official cited by CNN.
The proposal involves creating a buffer zone aimed at surrounding up to 5,000 Hamas fighters in the northern part of Gaza, which is already under siege and cut off from humanitarian aid.
The plan would designate the northern Gaza Strip as a closed military zone, meaning that anyone who refuses to evacuate could be killed by Israeli forces.
A group of retired Israeli generals formulated the idea, and reports suggest that Reserve Major General Giora Eiland, previously criticized for advocating harmful measures against Gaza’s civilian population, is promoting the strategy.
According to CNN, the proposal has already been presented to the Israeli cabinet and a key parliamentary committee.
However, it remains uncertain how many Palestinians still reside in northern Gaza or if, when, and how they might be allowed to return. Eiland has reportedly stated, “Those who leave will receive food and water.”
This plan emerges amid claims by Israeli officials that Hamas has been largely defeated, with only several thousand fighters remaining, mostly in the south. However, by Israel’s own admission, at least 5,000 Hamas fighters are still operating in northern Gaza, an area that has faced repeated airstrikes and ground invasions over the past year.
Analysts suggest that Israel’s military campaign in northern Gaza is struggling, with experts increasingly indicating that the Israeli forces have been unable to achieve a decisive victory over Hamas. This latest proposal to forcibly remove civilians has raised concerns about the potential for further violations of international law.
