Israel has intensified its siege on northern Gaza, despite warnings from the UN and other aid organizations that hundreds of thousands of Palestinian lives are at risk. This has raised questions about whether the Netanyahu government’s war aims extend to territorial expansion.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) state they are targeting Hamas militants, but there is growing speculation that Israel might be enacting a plan it had previously distanced itself from, known as the “generals’ plan.”
This plan, advocated by retired high-ranking officers, aims to depopulate northern Gaza by offering Palestinians an evacuation opportunity and then treating those who remain as combatants, thereby imposing a full siege. While the government has stated that this plan was not adopted, Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups, as well as some IDF soldiers in Gaza, claim it is being carried out—albeit without providing a realistic chance for evacuation, leaving Palestinians effectively trapped.
“There’s no way I can leave my house because I don’t want to die out there. Many have been killed far from their homes, even in the south. Death is everywhere,” said Ramadan, a 19-year-old from Beit Lahiya who has been displaced seven times during the 13-month war. “There is constant shooting and bombing. Even gatherings, shelters, and schools are bombed. The area is so crowded that even small bombs cause massive casualties.”
Israeli ground forces have besieged Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, where an estimated 75,000 people are trapped. The UN relief agency, UNRWA, issued an urgent appeal on October 22 for a temporary truce to allow safe passage for civilians. Israel did not respond, and days later, the Knesset voted to ban UNRWA’s operations within 90 days.
Humanitarian aid has been severely restricted in northern Gaza, with conditions worsening. According to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of Thursday, no bakeries or public kitchens remain operational, and only a few health centers and hospitals continue to function on a limited basis. Water and power supplies are nearly depleted, and only two out of eight water wells in Jabalia are partially functional.
OCHA and other humanitarian agencies warned on Friday that conditions in northern Gaza are reaching catastrophic levels, describing the situation as “apocalyptic,” with the entire population at risk of starvation, disease, and violence.
The hospitals still operating, such as Kamal Adwan and al-Awda, are overwhelmed and critically low on supplies. Kamal Adwan hospital was raided by IDF forces, its medical staff detained, and then bombed shortly afterward, destroying recently delivered medical supplies. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, reported that Kamal Adwan hospital has been reduced to “a shell of itself.” Conditions at al-Awda hospital are similarly dire, with severe shortages of medical supplies, clean water, and blood units.
The “generals’ plan” was initially intended as a means of pressuring Hamas to release Israeli hostages through siege tactics. Its primary author, retired Major General Giora Eiland, defended the plan, asserting that siege warfare does not constitute a war crime if civilians are given a chance to evacuate and that the occupation would be temporary.
However, for many on the ground, the siege seems aimed at more than counter-insurgency. “They kill everyone without distinguishing between civilians and fighters,” said Ahlam al-Tlouli, a resident of Jabalia whose family members have been killed or are missing.
Analysts suspect that Israel may have broader goals, possibly aimed at reshaping the region. Tel Aviv University professor Idan Landau argues that the ultimate objective could be the resettlement of Gaza, a view echoed by others in the region. Meanwhile, Ramadan, in Beit Lahiya, fears that if his family leaves, they may never return to their homes and land.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for global action on Wednesday to prevent potential “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza. However, Israel’s allies, including the US, have so far avoided using their influence to push for policy changes. On October 21, the Israeli organization Nachala held a festival called “Preparing to Settle Gaza,” attended by senior Israeli officials, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declaring that settlements were the only path to true security.
The intensifying conflict and destruction in northern Gaza have deepened concerns that Israel’s strategy may extend beyond its stated military aims.
