Conflict in Gaza: "Attempting to directly govern over two million Palestinians is a significant error"
The Israeli war cabinet has approved a plan for expanded military operations in the Gaza Strip, with the aim of disarming Hamas, returning hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, establishing Israeli security control, and setting up an alternative civilian administration [1]. The plan, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, involves taking control of Gaza City, a part of the Palestinian enclave not yet occupied by the IDF [2].
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have expressed concerns about the plan's success, with Eyal Zamir, head of the military, voicing his reservations [2]. Hamada Ghanem, a reserve colonel and former commander of the northern Gaza division, shares these concerns, citing the apparent exhaustion of Israeli troops after weeks of fighting [2].
The plan includes the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians outside combat zones. However, experts and international bodies warn that the consequences could be disastrous. The military takeover could cause heavy losses among Gazan civilians and combatants, replicating the disastrous urban warfare seen in places like Fallujah and Mosul [1][2].
Key potential consequences include:
- Mass civilian suffering and casualties: The plan entails forcibly displacing approximately 800,000 to 1 million people, many of whom are already displaced or vulnerable [1][2].
- Humanitarian crisis intensification: Gaza is already facing starvation and lack of basic services due to the ongoing conflict. Expansion of military operations and siege could exacerbate these conditions, worsen famine, obstruct humanitarian aid, and violate international humanitarian laws [2][3][4].
- Legal and ethical objections: Amnesty International and others condemned the plan as violating international law, including the International Court of Justice’s rulings, and warned it would deepen an already catastrophic situation amounting to atrocities or even “genocide” contextually [3].
- Military and political risks: Israel’s own military reportedly objects to the plan, calling it a “disaster” likely to result in prolonged urban combat with many casualties on both sides. Hamas may exploit the situation to rally support and prolong conflict [1].
- Regional destabilization: UN officials warned this escalation could trigger wider instability in the region, fueling further violence beyond Gaza itself [2].
- Political complications: The plan aims to replace Hamas with an alternative civilian administration, but this is controversial and may undermine prospects for peace. International actors call for renewed focus on a two-state solution mediated by bodies such as the Palestinian Authority [2][4][5].
- Increased hostage risks: Expanding military operations around Gaza City could endanger the remaining hostages held by Hamas, complicating efforts for their release [4].
In summary, while Israel’s goal is to defeat Hamas and regain control of Gaza City, experts and international bodies warn the consequences could be disastrous—humanitarian catastrophe, legal violations, military quagmire, and regional instability. The preferred path emphasized by the UN and others is an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian relief, unconditional hostages release, and renewed diplomatic efforts toward a two-state solution [2][4][5].
Notably, Germany has threatened to suspend arms exports to Israel due to the approved plan for expanded military operations in the Gaza Strip [1]. The plan does not provide a timeline for the implementation of its objectives, nor does it detail how Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip would be maintained once the alternative civilian administration is established. Additionally, the plan does not specify how the alternative civilian administration would be established [1].
References:
[1] The Guardian. (2022, August 8). Israel approves plan to expand Gaza military operation, risking humanitarian catastrophe, say experts. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/08/israel-approves-plan-to-expand-gaza-military-operation-risking-humanitarian-catastrophe-say-experts
[2] Reuters. (2022, August 8). Israel approves plan to expand Gaza military operation, risking humanitarian catastrophe, say experts. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-approves-plan-expand-gaza-military-operation-risking-humanitarian-catastrophe-2022-08-08/
[3] Amnesty International. (2022, August 8). Israel's military operation in Gaza risks causing war crimes. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/08/israels-military-operation-in-gaza-risks-causing-war-crimes/
[4] Al Jazeera. (2022, August 8). Israel approves plan to expand Gaza military operation, risking humanitarian catastrophe, say experts. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/8/israel-approves-plan-to-expand-gaza-military-operation-risking-humanitarian-catastrophe-say-experts
[5] BBC News. (2022, August 8). Israel approves plan to expand Gaza military operation, risking humanitarian catastrophe, say experts. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-62541565
- The ongoing discussion of Israel's military plan involving expanded operations in Gaza Strip includes debates about politics, as international bodies and experts raise concerns about the plan's potential consequences such as war-and-conflicts, humanitarian crises, and legal violations.
- As the plan progresses, general-news outlets worldwide report on the political complications and potential fallouts, including the possibility of regional destabilization, a prolonged military quagmire, increased hostage risks, and the controversy surrounding the establishment of an alternative civilian administration in Gaza.
