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Arab-Israeli conflicts

Israeli Siege Plan Sparks International Outcry as Gaza Enters Mass Displacement Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A devastating conflict in war-battered northern Gaza has intensified, with no food reaching the region for the first two weeks of October, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The Israeli military's actions mirror a controversial siege plan conceived by former Israeli General Giora Eiland, which aims to starve out or forcibly evacuate civilians from northern Gaza and eventually larger areas of the enclave. The plan, supported by far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, has raised international alarm, with top Biden administration officials issuing a stark warning to Israel: reverse course or risk losing American military assistance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli military has claimed to be operating in Jabalya due to the regrouping of Hamas operatives in the area, with evacuation orders issued to protect civilians, despite denials of firing on those attempting to leave.
  • Former Israeli General Giora Eiland's siege plan, presented to government leaders and a parliamentary committee, envisions systematically emptying areas of civilians and starving out or shooting down those who remain.
  • Far-right Israeli ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have expressed support for the plan, which they view as a means to achieve their goals of permanently occupying Gaza and restoring Jewish settlements.
  • The plan has sparked a split within the Israeli government, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant pushing back against supporters of the proposal and assuring the White House that it will not be implemented.
  • The Biden administration has called on Israel to surge humanitarian assistance to Gaza, increase deliveries of commercial goods, and reaffirm that there will be no forced evacuation of civilians from northern to southern Gaza.
  • Humanitarian groups have warned that Gaza cannot afford another mass displacement, pointing to the already overcrowded conditions in the south.
  • The Israeli military has facilitated a total of 78 trucks bringing aid to northern Gaza since the US administration's warning, but much more is needed, with the US calling for at least 350 trucks to enter the strip each day.

Statistics:

  • The amount of aid delivered in Gaza has dropped by more than 50% since the spring.
  • The amount of assistance entering Gaza in September was the lowest of any month during the last year.
  • No food aid entered northern Gaza for the first two weeks of October.
  • 28 humanitarian trucks crossed into the north in mid-October, followed by 50 trucks facilitated by the Israeli military with aid donated by Jordan.
  • The US estimates that at least 350 trucks should enter Gaza each day to meet the growing humanitarian needs.
  • About 50% of those who remain in northern Gaza are children.

Sources:

  • "For the first two weeks of October, no food reached the 400,000 people in war-battered northern Gaza" - Washington Post
  • "Israeli forces fired at families as they tried to heed evacuation orders" - Washington Post
  • Letter from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to senior Israeli officials, October 13 - The New York Times
  • "The flow needs to be maintained and increased, and we need safe passage, which requires that more roads are made available for us to use" - Sam Rose, U.N. refugee agency
  • "The Eiland plan evokes battle tactics of the middle ages" - Jessica Montell, Head of HaMoked

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