[MIDDLE EAST] An Israeli government minister has promised that Gaza will be "completely destroyed" following an Israeli military victory, and that its Palestinian population will "leave in large numbers to third countries," fueling concerns of ethnic cleansing within the occupied territory.
The statement made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday came just one day after Israel’s security cabinet authorized a new military plan, dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots. An Israeli official revealed that the operation would involve "the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories."
This strategy mirrors proposals from far-right Israeli factions earlier this year, including Smotrich’s own party, which advocated for the permanent displacement of Gaza's population and the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the enclave. Such suggestions have been condemned by human rights organizations, which warn that they align with accusations of Israeli policies aimed at altering the demographic makeup of Palestinian territories.
The Israeli government’s plans to potentially seize control of Gaza permanently have sparked global outrage. “We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s operations,” said the UK’s Middle East minister, Hamish Falconer. "Any attempt to annex land in Gaza would be unacceptable."
Following the announcement of the escalated offensive, Hamas declared it would no longer engage in truce talks with Israel and called on the international community to intervene and stop Israel’s "hunger war" against Gaza. This term refers to the ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid into the region, which has been in effect for over two months.
The blockade has contributed to what aid organizations describe as one of the worst man-made humanitarian crises in modern history. According to the United Nations, more than 90% of Gaza’s population is facing severe food insecurity, with famine-like conditions reported in the northern parts of the enclave. Hospitals, already overwhelmed by shortages of fuel and medical supplies, are struggling to treat malnutrition, particularly among children.
“There is no point in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals while the hunger war and extermination war continue in Gaza,” said Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, in an interview with AFP.
Israel's chief military spokesperson, Effie Defrin, suggested that the planned offensive would involve "moving most of the population of Gaza... to protect them." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced this claim, stating in a video posted on social media that "the population will be moved, for its own protection," though he provided few additional details.
These vague assurances have done little to calm international concerns. Diplomatic sources close to ongoing negotiations report that the lack of clarity surrounding Israel’s plans is complicating efforts to restart ceasefire talks. "There is no clarity on where civilians would go, how they’d be protected, or what ‘third countries’ Smotrich is referring to," said one European envoy, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.
Speaking at a conference on Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, Smotrich went further, asserting that many Palestinians would be forcibly removed from Gaza as part of a sweeping military operation.
“Gaza will be entirely destroyed, civilians will be sent to the south to a humanitarian zone without Hamas or terrorism, and from there they will begin to leave in large numbers to third countries,” Smotrich declared.
Both Egypt and Jordan, Israel’s neighboring countries, have rejected the idea of allowing refugees to cross their borders, warning that such an exodus would amount to complicity in Gaza’s ethnic cleansing.
Regional analysts speculate that Smotrich’s statements may be aimed at gauging international reactions, particularly as Western governments face mounting pressure to hold Israel accountable for its actions. "Statements like these are deliberate provocations," said Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. "They send a message to the far-right base while testing the international community's limits."
The International Court of Justice is currently reviewing allegations of genocide in relation to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, and last year issued provisional measures calling for Israel to take "all measures" to prevent genocide and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access via Egypt.
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and reports indicate that further warrants may be forthcoming.
"Smotrich has been making similar statements for some time, but the gravity of the situation has increased with calls for additional troops," said Victor Kattan, an assistant professor of public international law at the University of Nottingham. "Deportation and forcible transfer of civilians is a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute, and this could be very serious if it stems from government decisions."
On Tuesday evening, an Israeli airstrike killed at least 29 people in a school sheltering displaced civilians in Bureij camp, central Gaza, according to medics. Dozens more were wounded in the attack, as confirmed by civil defense officials.
The escalation of violence coincided with Israeli airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, including damage to the international airport in the capital, Sana’a. These strikes followed a Houthi missile attack on Israel's international airport the previous day.
Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced multiple times since the conflict began with Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 250 more. Since then, over 52,000 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive. A ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Egypt collapsed in mid-March when Israel failed to honor commitments for the second phase of the agreement.
Efforts to restart indirect talks continue, but little progress has been made. Analysts suggest that Israel's threats of a new offensive and territorial occupation, alongside massive displacement, are intended to pressure Hamas into making concessions, while also strengthening right-wing support for Netanyahu’s government.
On Monday, Hamas described Israel’s new framework for aid delivery in Gaza as "political blackmail" and blamed Israel for the "humanitarian catastrophe" in the region.
The UN's Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed alarm over Israel’s latest plans, warning that they will likely lead to further civilian casualties and the complete destruction of Gaza.
Humanitarian organizations have warned that Gaza is on the brink of disaster due to the total Israeli blockade imposed since March 2, which has caused critical shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies.
Israeli military officials have offered varying accounts of a plan that would allow limited aid into Gaza through newly constructed hubs in the southern part of the territory. These hubs would be staffed by private contractors and guarded by Israeli forces.
Humanitarian organizations have condemned this proposal, calling it impractical, dangerous, and potentially illegal. "The plan will leave large parts of Gaza, including the most vulnerable populations, without aid," a joint statement from the UN and other agencies read. "It contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears to be a military strategy to further control Gaza and exacerbate forced displacement."
Stephen Cutts, interim head of Medical Aid for Palestinians, added: "Israel's proposed aid plan weaponizes humanitarian assistance, further entrenching its control over Gaza and advancing its policies of ethnic cleansing."
In the U.S., former President Donald Trump expressed support for providing food aid to "starving" Palestinians, although he blamed Hamas for blocking humanitarian assistance. "We’re going to help the people of Gaza get some food. People are starving, and we’re going to help them get some food," Trump stated during a press event.
Israeli officials have indicated that the new offensive will not be launched until after Trump concludes his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
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