Rabat – The Gaza genocide has somehow taken an even more dire turn for the worse, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel is preparing new, more intense attacks on the Palestinian enclave.
In a video message posted in Hebrew, Netanyahu said the goal is to defeat Hamas, but also specifically mentioned that Gaza’s population “will be moved, for its own protection.” However, he did not clearly explain where or how the people of Gaza would be moved. Although the Israeli prime minister has referred to similar plans in the past, this is a pointed shift to fully talking about ethnic cleansing in full view.
Netanyahu also said that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) would not just go into Gaza, carry out attacks, and then leave. “The intention is the opposite of that,” he stated, suggesting that Israeli forces may stay in parts of Gaza after entering.
This announcement comes as Israeli political and IOF leaders agreed on plans to expand their genocidal assaults on Gaza. These plans reportedly include taking full control of Gaza, managing aid deliveries, and occupying the entire territory.
Some Israeli officials, speaking to news agencies, said the plan could involve the “conquest” of all of Gaza and moving the entire population to the south. A source told AFP that Netanyahu continues to support an idea promoted by US President Donald Trump, which involves forcibly removing Palestinians from the enclave.
In February, Trump proposed to “clean out” Gaza and suggested that neighbouring countries like Jordan and Egypt would take in displaced Palestinians.
The new Israeli plan also gives its forces full control over the aid entering Gaza – a power they have already abused – where people are already starving due to a long blockade. Since March 2, Israel has blocked all food, water, medicine, and fuel from entering. Human rights groups and the United Nations have warned that these actions could lead to famine and are against international humanitarian law.
Israeli media reported that disagreements broke out during the cabinet meeting. Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel should bomb food warehouses and cut off electricity to Gaza. But Israel’s army chief, Eyal Zamir, said such actions would be dangerous and could bring more international criticism. “You are endangering us all,” Zamir warned.
The United Nations also criticized the plan, saying it would likely lead to more deaths and suffering. A UN spokesperson said Gaza must remain part of any future Palestinian state and that aid should not be used as a tool for pressure.
Meanwhile, Hamas has repeatedly said it will only agree to a full ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of IOF from Gaza. The group rejected the Israeli plan, calling it “political blackmail.”
The international community also condemned Netanyahu’s proposal, with China saying it is “highly concerned about the current Palestine-Israel situation.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that China “opposes Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, and hopes all parties continuously and effectively implement the ceasefire agreement.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described Israel’s plans as“unacceptable” and a “violation of humanitarian law”.
Although Israel’s occupation has been threatening similar actions for quite some time, and international analysts and political leaders have suspected that these were their intentions, this marks a pointed shift with high-level officials bringing the plan out in the open. Only time will tell whether this will finally be an impetus for international leaders to act before it is truly too late.
